lF 5fXr 

- I ,', i » ill K STATE MV°"™ — 




Published monthly by the 

University of the State of New York 



BULLETIN 329 



FEBRUARY 1905 



New York State Museum 

Bulletin 78 
ARCHEOLOGY 9 

A HISTORY OR 

THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 

NOW COMMONLY CALLED THE SIX NATIONS 
^ BY 

WILLIAM JVL BEAUCHAMP S.T.D. 



PAGE 

Note 125 

Preface 126 

List of authorities 128 

Chapter 1 131 

2 137 

3 144 

4 154 

5 167 

6 176 

7 186 

8 198 

9 210 

10 218 

11 227 

12 237 

1-3 249 



PAGE 

Chapter 14 259 

15 270 

16 279 

17 291 

!8 302 

19 310 

20 320 

21 329 

22 • 338 

2 3 346 

2 4 358 

2 5 37i 

26 384 

Explanation of plates 393 

Index 429 



Mi3im-N3-2yx> 



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Assistant Commissioners 

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University of the State of New York 



New York State Museum 

Bulletin 78 
ARCHEOLOGY 9 

A HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 

NOW COMMONLY CALLED THE SIX NATIONS 

NOTE 

The interest displayed by the citizens of New York in the 
bulletins prepared by Dr Beauchamp on the various implements 
and ornaments used by the New York Indians and his bulletin 
on their tribal distribution, has led me to suggest to him the 
preparation of a history of the Six Nations. This has accord- 
ingly been written and is now at the service of all those inter- 
ested in these- early inhabitants of the State, who, while at 
times they were much to be dreaded as enemies, have probably 
in one way or another, greatly aided the white man in his early 
attempts at settlement. Unable to assimilate civilization, they 
have gradually passed away and left to their successors, pre-^ 
dominantly Anglo-Saxon, the task of recording for posterity 
what is known of their history, distribution and customs. 

Frederick J. H. Merrill 



126 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

PREFACE 

The need of a simple, systematic and yet comprehensive history 
of the Six Nations, or Konosioni, has long been felt, and one 
seems required for the study of New York antiquities. In the 
following pages all events have been placed in due order and 
taken from original sources. Secondhand errors have been 
avoided or corrected when possible, and the general history has 
been brought down to the present day. The results of field 
exploration have been briefly stated, because treated to some 
extent in previous papers. It must also be remembered that 
many things are set forth in a sentence or paragraph of which 
we have ample details, sufficient to fill many pages with humor- 
ous, pathetic or tragic incidents. To give these would require 
many volumes, and it seems better to be now content with orderly 
arrangement and brief details, referring the deeper student to 
original sources. It has not been thought necessary to verify 
every statement or quotation from these by direct references. 
Charlevoix, Champlain, the Jesuit Relations, Colden, Zeisberger 
and others are sufficiently indicated, but most statements relating 
to New York and Canada are from the various colonial docu- 
ments of New York, published by the State ; and those on Penn- 
sylvania from its archives and colonial records, which are easily 
found by their dates. Parkman's graphic works are referred 
to as valuable and of easy access, but his sources of original in- 
formation have been used in preference. 

While many events have been summarized, others of less 
apparent importance have been given more fully, because they 
bear on the ordinary life of the people, or the character and 
appearance of notable men. How some warriors and orators 
looked and acted, how some councils were conducted, may be as 
interesting as to tell how many were killed and scalped in in- 
glorious forest fights. In national progress the character of one 
man may show that of many, and in early Iroquois history there 
were men of dignity, virtue and great natural gifts. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS \2J 

It is possible to make a map of all known Iroquois towns which 
would be approximately correct, but the names of many are 
unknown and the dates are conjectural. Mr L. H. Morgan issued 
one of much interest, but it covers only one period, is largely tra- 
ditional and has no reference to early times. On the whole, it 
has been thought better to give a series of maps from Champlain 
onward, replacing the obscure names of places by numeral refer- 
ences to lists admitting of some explanation. The well known 
Jesuit map of the Iroquois country in 1665 is omitted from these 
because of its lack of details, and others for other reasons. Those 
given are among the best of early maps, and interesting and 
peculiar features will be found in all. At the suggestion of 
Dr F, J. H. Merrill, however, a map' of probable tribal distribu- 
tion about 1600, has been prepared by the writer. 

W. M. Beauchamp 

Syracuse, March 25, 1904 



128 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

LIST OF AUTHORITIES 

Bartram, John. Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Rivers, 
Productions, Animals. . .in his Travels from Pensilvania to Onondago, 
Oswego and the Lake Ontario. Lond. 1751. 
Reprinted at Geneva N. Y. 189">. 

Beauchamp, W. M. Hi-a-wat-ha. Jour. Am. Folk-lore. Bost. 1891. 

Permanency of Iroquois Clans and Sachemships. 

Read at Ann Arbor meeting of the A. A. A. S. in '835. Published in American Antiquarian 
Chicago 1886, and Proceedings of A. A. A. 8., Cambridge 1886. 

The Indian Prayer Book. Church Eclectic, p.415-22. Utica, i88r. 

Quoted by James C. Pilling in Bibliography of the lroquoian Languages, Wash. 1888. 

The Iroquois Trail; or, Foot-prints of the Six Nations. Fayette- 

ville N. Y. 1892. 

This includes David CusickV history. 

The New Religion of the Iroquois. Jour. Am. Folk-lore. Bost. 1897. 

Bruyas, Jacques. Radices Verborum Iroquaeorum; ed. by J. G. Shea. 

N. Y. 1863. 

Radical Words of the Mohawk Language. N. Y. State Mns. 16th An. Rep't, Appendix E. 
Alb. 1863. 
Cammerhoff, Frederick. Diary of the Journey of Br. Cammerhoff and 
David Zeisberger to the 5 Nations from 3/14 May to 6/17 August, 1750. 
Manuscript. Also other Moravian journals. 
Campbell, William W. Annals of Tryon county. N. Y. 183 1. 
Carrington, Henry B. Condition of the Six Nations of New York, in 

Thomas Donaldson's report in the census of 1890. Wash. 1892. 
Champlain, Samuel de. Oeuvres de Champlain, publiees sous le patron- 
age de l'Universite Laval, par l'Abbe C. H. Laverdiere. Quebec 1870. 
Charlevoix, P. F. X. de. History and General Description of New France, 
by Charlevoix; tr. and ed. by J. G. Shea. N. Y. 1900. 

■ Journal of a Voyage... to North America; tr. from the French. 

Lond. 1761. 
Clark, John S. Note to Dr Hawley's Mohawk missions in Auburn paper. 
Clark, J. V. H. Onondaga ; or. Reminiscences of Earlier and Later Times. 

Syracuse 1849. 
Golden, Cadwallader. History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada. 

Lond. 1755. 
Conover, George S. comp. Journals of the Military Expedition of Major 
General John Sullivan against the Six Nations of Indians in 1779. 
Auburn 1887. 

Also several pamphlets on local Indian history. 
Coyne, James H. Exploration of the Great Lakes. 1669-70. Toronto 1903. 

Galinee's narrative and map, translated and edited by J. H. Coyne. 
Cusick, David. Sketches of Ancient History of the Six Nations. Lewis- 
ton 1826. 

See also Iroquois Trail by W. M. Beauchamp. 
Dawson, Sir J. W. Fossil Men and their Modern Representatives. Lond. 
1883. 

Quotations from Cartier. 
Dean, James. Mythology of the Iroquois; or, Six Nations of Indians. 
An Oneida legend in manuscript; copy in the N. Y. State Library. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 120, 

De la Potherie, Bacqueville. Histoire de l'Amerique Septentrionale. 

Paris 1722. 
De Peyster, J. Watts. Orderly Book of Sir John Johnson during the 

Oriskany Campaign, 1776-1777. Alb. 1882. 
De Vries, David Petersen. Third Voyage of David Petersen de Vries 

to North America. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Trans. Ser. 2. v.3. N. Y. 1857. 
Dunlap, William. History of the New Netherlands, Province of New 

York and State of New York. N. Y. 1839. 
Gallatin, Albert. Synopsis of the Indian Tribes East of the Rocky Moun- 
tains. Am. Antiquarian Soc. Trans. Cambridge 1836. 
Hale, Horatio. The Iroquois Book of Rites. Phil. 1883. 
Halsey, Francis W. The Old New York Frontier. N. Y. 1901. 
Hazard, Samuel. Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, 

1682-1790. Phil. 

ed. Pennsylvania Archives, 1664-1790. Phil. 1852-56. 

Heckewelder, J. G. E. History, Manners and Customs of the Indian 

Nations who once Inhabited Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Hist. Soc. 

Memoirs, v.12. Phil. 1876. 
Hennepin, Louis. Description de la Louisiane. Paris 1683. 

Quotation made from the Catholic Church in the Niagara Peninsula, by Dean Harris. 
Toronto 1895. 

Hunter, A. F. Various papers on the Huron country appended to reports 
of the minister of education, Ontario, Can. Toronto. 

Indian Problem. Report of Special Committee to Investigate the Indian 

* Problem of the State of New York. Alb. 1889. 

Jesuit Relations. Relations 1611-1672. Quebec 1858. 

Translations with allied documents, 1610-1791 ; afterward published by Burrows, Cleveland O. 

Kalm, Peter. Travels into North America (1749); tr. by J. R. Forster. 
Lond. 1772. 1 ^ 

Ketchum, William. Buffalo and the Senecas. Buffalo 1864. 

Lafitau, J. F. Moeurs des sauvages ameriquains. Paris 1724. 

Lahontan, A. L. de D. New Voyages to North Arr^erica. Lond. 1*735. 

Loskiel, G. H. History of the Mission of the United Brethren among the 
Indians in North America; tr. by C. I. La Trobe. Lond. 1794. 

Lothrop, Samuel K. Life of Samuel Kirkland, Missionary to the In- 
dians. Bost. 1864. 

Marshall, O. H. Narrative of the Expedition of the Marquis de Non- 
ville against the Senecas in 1687. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections. Ser. 2. 
v. 2. N. Y. 1848. 

Marshe, Witham. Journal of the Treaty held with the Six Nations by 
the Commissioners of Maryland and Other Provinces in Lancaster in 
Pennsylvania, June 1744. Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections. 1801. Ser. 1. 
v. %~ 

Massachusetts. Hist. Soc. Collections, see Marshe. 

Megapolensis, J. Short Sketch of the Mohawk Indians in New Nether- 
land, etc. N. Y. Hist. Soc. Ser. 2. v. 3. N. Y. 1857. 

Morgan, L. H. League of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee, or Iroquois. Rochester 
1851. 

Morse, Jedidiah. Report to the Secretary of War of the United States 
on Indian Affairs. New Haven 1822. 



1 3° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

O'Callaghan, E. B. ed. Documentary History of the State of New York. 
Alb. 1849-51. 

ed. Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of 

New York. Alb. 1853-87. 
Parish, Jasper, see Ketchum; Hazard, Pennsylvania Archives. 
Parkman, Francis. Works. Bost. 18—. 
Perrot, Nicholas, see Charlevoix. 
Pouchot, M. Memoir upon the Late War in North America between the 

French and English, 1755-60; tr. and ed. by Franklin B. Hough. Rox- 

bury Mass. 1866. 
Proctor, Col. Thomas. Journal of 1791. Pennsylvania Archives. New 

ser. v. 4. Phil. 1852-56. See Ketchum; Hazard. 
Ruttenber, E. M. History of the Indian Tribes of Hudson's River Alb 

1872. 
Sagard, Gabriel. Le grand voyage du pays des Hurons, etc. Paris 1865. 
Schoolcraft, Henry R. Notes on the Iroquois. N. Y. 1846. 

Senate document 24, N. Y. 1846. 
Seaver, James E. Deh-he-wa-mis; or, A Narrative of the Life of Mary 

Jemison. Batavia N. Y. 1842. 
Severance, Frank H. Old Trails of the Niagara Frontier. Buffalo 1899. 
Shea, John Gilmary. History of the Catholic Missions among the In- 
dian Tribes of the United States. N. Y. 1881. 
Smith, William. History of New York from the First Discovery to the 

year MDCCXXXII. Alb. 1814. 
Stone, William L. Life and Times of Red Jacket, or Sa-go-ye-wat-ha. 

N. Y. 1841. 

Life of Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea. N. Y. 1838. 

Van der Donck, Adriaen. Description of the New Netherlands. N. Y. 

Hist. Soc. Collections. Ser. 2. v. 1. N. Y. 1841. 
Williams, Roger. A Key into the Language of America; ed. by J. H. 

Trumbull. Narragansett Club Publications. 1866-74. 
Wilson, James Grant. Arent Van Curler and his Journey of 1634-35, from 

Annual Report of Am. Hist. Soc. Wash. 1896. 
Winsor, Justin. Cartier to Frontenac. Geographical Discovery in the 

Interior of North America, etc. Bost. 1894. 
Narrative and Critical History of America; ed. by Justin Winsor. 

Bost. 1888. 
Zeisberger, David. Diary of David Zeisberger, a Moravian Missionary 

among the Indians of Ohio. Cin. 1885. 
Manuscript journals of travels in New York 1752-66. 



A HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IRO- 
QUOIS, NOW COMMONLY CALLED 
THE SIX NATIONS 

Chapter i 

Iroquois and Algonquins. Distribution. Iroquois legends. Religious 
belief. Creative myths. Stories of origin and migration. Real migra- 
tions. Huron-Iroquois family. Language. Opinions on this. 

When Europeans first reached the interior of New York, it 
was occupied by two Indian families, known as Iroquois and 
Algonquin. The latter held all the Hudson river valley, the high- 
lands below the Catskill mountains, and all of Long Island, being 
closely related to the New England Indians. The former occu- 
pied the valley of Schoharie creek, and westward to the Genesee 
river, with vacant territory beyond. On their southwestern line 
were the Susquehannas, or Andastes, and farther west were the 
Eries and the Neutral nation, all three kindred to them. For 
200 years the Iroquois were a great factor in the safety and 
progress of the European settlements, and another century found 
them but little diminished in numbers, while many still clung 
to their early homes. A people so important, so powerful, so 
permanent, deserves more than mere recognition. 

The Iroquois had a strong, but in some ways very vague reli- 
gious belief. Unseen deities ruled their lives through mystic 
dreams, and these dreams must always be observed, however 
unpleasant this might be. All things to them had a tinge of the 
supernatural. Trees, rocks and animals had an inner soul. There 
were viewless spirits, fairies and flying heads. Stone giants and 
monstrous beasts were frequent. The great Holder of the 
Heavens was a dwarf in size; for what need had omnipotent 
power of physical strength ? The beasts of the forest were their 
ancient kindred, necessary for food but reverently treated. 
Sacrifices were few and simple. In a certain way captives might 
have been offered to Aireskoi at an early day, or a white dog to 



I3 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

the Great Spirit at a later time, but offerings were usually sim- 
pler; some tobacco burned, a pipe or beads dropped at some 
sacred place, were the common gifts. Worship was by singing 
or dancing; seldom with prayer. 

Though the myths in which the origin of many nations is in- 
volved are to be taken with reservations, they may have interest 
and value. Those of the Iroquois are many and conflicting. The 
creative myth, in which the woman falls from the sky, alighting 
on the turtle's back, which thenceforth supports the world, was 
not peculiar to the Iroquois, being told by others with varying 
details. The creature which at last brings up earth from the 
bottom of the sea, using it for the germ of the great island of 
America, is not always the same, nor do all relate the later events 
alike. When the woman's descendants appear, there is a greater 
variation still. David Cusick's story of the two children, the 
Good and Bad Mind, is well known. Mr James Dean, the inter- 
preter, gave the Oneida story with other particulars. The father 
of the children lived at the bottom of the sea, and lured the 
Good Mind to his home, to save him from the malice of his 
mother and brother, and tell him what to do. The great contest 
began after this, with its peculiar weapons. When slain, the 
flinty body of the Evil Mind became the great range of the Rocky 
Mountains. 

The Seneca chief Canassatego — not the earlier Onondaga of 
that name — had another tale of man's creation. One of their 
deities raised the land of Konosioni above the waters, and sowed 
five handfuls of red seed in it. From these came the Five 
Nations ; prosperous when following his advice, unfortunate 
when disregarding it. 

The story of national origin and migration is not always the 
same. The Delaware tradition is that the Delawares and the 
Five Nations came eastward together, side by side and harmoni- 
ously, dispossessing those who were in the way and amicably 
dividing the land. There is some ground for part of this. 

David Cusick, the Tuscarora historian, had a different tale to 
tell. The people were hid in a great mountain at Oswego Falls, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 1 33 

and, on their release by Tarenyawagon, went down the Mohawk 
and Hudson to the sea. Six families returned, five settling suc- 
cessively as Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and 
Senecas, varying, their language and becoming distinct nations. 
The sixth passed Lake Erie, part crossing the Mississippi and 
part remaining behind. The latter turned eastward, entered 
North Carolina and became the Tuscaroras. In later days a 
league was formed. Though some have accepted this order of 
settlement, an examination of sites discredits this westward 
march, the Mohawks entering New York last of all. 

Nicholas Perrot, the French interpreter, an early and good 
authority, said : " The country of the Iroquois was formerly 
Montreal and Three Rivers. . .Their removal was in con- 
sequence of a quarrel unexpectedly occurring between them and 
the Algonquins. . .This explains why these also claim the 
island of Montreal as the land of their ancestors." 

This alludes to a well known tale, and Champlain said, still 
earlier, that the Iroquois left there " more than 60 acres of de- 
serted land which are like prairies." The Iroquois whom he knew 
were Mohawks, though he encountered the Oneidas. 
' Lafitau quoted an early tradition, mentioned by him alone : 
" The Mohawk Iroquois, it is said, assert that they wandered a 
long time under the conduct of a woman named Gaihonariosk; 
this woman led them about through all the north of America, 
and made them pass to a place where the town of Quebec is now 
situated. . . This is what the Agniers tell of their origin." 

In M. Pouchot's Memoirs, he speaks of Sandy creek in Jeffer- 
son county, N. Y. : 

The River Au Sables, in Indian Etcataragarenre, is remarkable 
in this, that at the head of the south branch, called Tecanonoua- 
ronesi, is the place where the traditions of the Iroquois fix the 
spot where they issued from the ground, or rather, according to 
their ideas, where they were born. 

Indian forts are frequent there, and it seems an early home of 
the Onondagas. On their migration farther south that people 
had a similar tale of their first fort at Oswego Falls. There they 



134 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

seem to have first settled in that region, as it were coming out of 
the ground, for others of their people followed. This tradition 
is probable and well sustained. They say they came from the 
north, along the St Lawrence, whence straggling bands followed 
their pioneers. In process of time, urged by the war, others came, 
all then seeking the highlands, and were called Onondagas from 
their home on the hills where they found a safe refuge. Their 
further tradition is of the same gradual occupation, the Bear 
and Wolf tribes originating near Oswego Falls, the Beaver and 
Heron or Snipe on the shore of Lake Ontario, the Eel and Turtle 
on Seneca river, and the Deer and Hawk on the Onondaga hills. 
An Onondaga chief once testified that they came to Onondaga 
by way of Oriskany, and some may have done so. 

Both Clark and Schoolcraft mention a tradition that the 
Oneidas originated with some Onondagas, who left their homes 
and settled at the mouth of Oneida creek, removing thence to the 
vicinity of Munnsville, and thence to Oneida Castle. The objec- 
tions are that they are closely allied to the Mohawks in every 
way, and that their homes at the lake and Oneida Castle were 
settled in the middle of the 18th century, and not before the 
league was formed. 

Except the simple one of David Cusick there is no tradition of 
Cayuga origin, but they probably entered New York from the 
west, with or preceding the Senecas. 

The general Seneca tradition is well known, relating that that 
nation had its first seat on a large hill at the head of Canandaigua 
lake. No remains of importance are known there, and the serpent 
story is supposed to belong to Bare hill on the eastern shore, 
where was an early fort. Briefly the tale is of a curious snake, 
caught and brought home by a boy, which developed an enormous 
appetite and grew to a great size. Lying outside the gate, he 
devoured the inmates as they came forth, till only a boy and 
girl were left. The boy destroyed the monster with a charmed 
arrow and recovered many of his friends, but all sought a new 
home. One explanation of this favorite Iroquois tale is that 
the fort was besieged by a powerful foe, or that something near 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 1 35 

by produced a pestilence. The story seems to belong to but 
one of the two great bands of the Senecas. The spot had its 
common name from being bare of trees when first known to the 
whites. 

Aside from Cusick's legend all that we know of the Tuscaroras 
falls within historic times. 

Of the Iroquois nations mentioned, five were already in New 
York when Champlain and Hudson entered it in 1609. The 
Mohawks had come by way of Lake Champlain from the north ; 
the Oneidas from the same direction, apparently leaving the St 
Lawrence at Oswegatchie river and tarrying in that region for a 
time ; the Onondagas had gradually migrated from Jefferson 
county to the Oswego and Seneca rivers, hastening their move- 
ments and seeking the hills farther south when the great war 
broke out late in the 16th century; the Cayugas and Senecas 
had come by way of Niagara river much earlier than this, moving 
eastward unmolested. Thus are differences of dialects recon- 
ciled with other facts. 

Something may be said of the family elsewhere as well as here. 
The Five Nations were known to Champlain as the Iroquois 
and Entouhonorons, and to the Dutch as Maquas and Senecas ; 
both indicating the Mohawks by the first name and classing four 
others under the second. Their territory included Schoharie val- 
ley on the east, not reaching the Hudson. Westward their villages 
then almost reached Genesee river, and they probably had towns 
farther west before the Huron war. West of them was the 
Neutral nation, occupying both sides of Niagara river and the 
north side of Lake Erie, permitting the passage of Huron and 
Iroquois warriors, but forbidding violence in this. North of these 
were the Hurons or Wyandots, the good Iroquois of Champlain, 
and sometimes the Ochateguins, from one of their chiefs. They 
termed the Neutrals Attiwandaronks, Those of a Language a 
little different, and had the same name in turn. North of these 
were the Tionontaties, People beyond the Mountains, so called 
from the hills between them and the Hurons, but better known 
as the Petun or Tobacco nation, from raising and trading with 



136 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



that herb. More rarely they were at one time called the Nez 
Perces, or Indians with Little Holes through their Noses; a 
name better applied to Indians west of them. 

South of Lake Erie were the Eries, another large branch of the 
family, and all along the Susquehanna, from the New York line 
to the sea, including part of Delaware, was still another branch, 
the Minquas of the Dutch, the Andastes of the French. All these 
spoke dialects of the Iroquois tongue, and may have radiated in 
their later migrations from some spot near the east end of Lake 
Erie. As yet separated by hostile tribes from the New York Iro- 
quois were two southern branches, the Tuscaroras and Cherokees, 
the former one day to become the sixth nation, and the latter to 
be a stubborn foe of the confederacy. 

In Canada, New England and southern New York were the 
Algonquin tribes, and others of these were encountered when the 
Hurons, Eries and Neutrals were out of the way. 

From the Algonquins all were distinguished by language and 
partially by habits of life. The Algonquins used labials freely; 
the Huron-Iroquois not at all, and their language has been much 
discussed. Father Brebeuf said, in 1636: " The variety of com- 
pounds is very great ; it is the key to the secret of their language. 
They have as many genders as ourselves ; as many numbers as 
the Greeks." Prof. Max Miiller wrote : " To my mind the struc- 
ture of such a language as the Mohawk is quite sufficient evidence 
that those who worked out such a work of art were powerful 
reasoners and accurate classifiers." 

Mr Horatio Hale, the eminent Canadian philologist, said: 

A complete grammar of this speech, as full and minute as the 
best Sanscrit or Greek grammars, would probably equal and per- 
haps surpass those grammars in extent. The unconscious forces 
of memory and of discrimination required to maintain this com- 
plicated machine, and to preserve it constantly exact and in 
good working order, must be prodigious. 

Mr Hale also said : 

Philologists are well aware that there is nothing in the lan- 
guage of the American Indians to favor the conjecture (for it is 
nothing else) which derives the race from eastern Asia. But in 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 1 37 

western Europe one community is known to exist, speaking a 
language which in its general structure manifests a near likeness 
to the Indian tongue. Alone of all the races of the old continent 
the Basques or Euskarians of northern Spain and southwestern 
France have a speech of that highly complex and polysynthetic 
character which distinguishes the American languages. 

This was but a likeness, but it led Mr Hale to say of western 
Europe : " The derivation of the American population from this 
source presents no serious improbability whatever." He after- 
ward showed how the many Indian dialects might have origi- 
nated about the Columbia river. 

According to one writer 12 letters will answer for all Iroquois 
sounds, though this requires the hardening of some. In this 
scheme we have a, e, f, h, i, k, n, o, r, s, t, w. The English mis- 
sionaries used 16 for the Mohawk tongue : a, d, e, g, h, i, j, k, n, o, 
r, s, t, u, w, y. L is much used by the Oneidas, and R by the 
Mohawks, D and T, G and K, are interchangeable. Dual and 
plural numbers have proper prefixes in most cases. Local rela- 
tions are shown by affixed particles. Adjectives may follow sub- 
stantives, but more commonly coalesce. Pronouns exceed those 
in European languages, and verbs have three modes. The fre- 
quent differences in personal nouns are often due to the dropping 
of a pronoun or particle, or its addition. 

Chapter 2 

Surrounding nations. Food, houses, forts and weapons. Weaving and 
dress. Sepulture. Wampum. Stories and songs. Etiquette. Adoption. 
Orators and diplomats. Intoning and pantomime. 

Brief notices may here be given of some other nations with 
whom the Iroquois came in contact at various times, but some 
are sufficiently noticed elsewhere. Thus it may be enough to say 
of the Hurons, called Quatoghies and Agaritkas by the Iroquois, 
that they and the Petuns were the Wyandots of later days, 
Wendat being the collective name given in 1639. 

Algonquin was contracted from Algomequin, a people living 
on the Ottawa river and noted in their day. In 1736 but 20 of 
their men lived at Montreal, and a French writer said : " This 



13^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

is all that remains of a nation the most warlike, most polished 
and the most attached to the French." Their name has become 
the generic title of a great linguistic family. They were the 
Adirondacks of Colden. 

The Montagnais, or Montagnards, have simply a French name, 
referring to their homes in the mountains below Quebec. 

The Abenaquiois, or Abenaki, were the Kennebecs or Eastern 
Indians of the English, called Owenagungas by the Iroquois. 
The Sokoquois, or Sokokis, were the Saco Indians belonging to 
the Abenakis. They and the Mahicans are now the St Francis 
Indians of Canada. 

The Loups, or Wolves, comprised the Schaghticoke Indians, 
who came from New England in 1672, the Mahicans, who for- 
merly owned Albany, and those sometimes called Mahikanders 
or River Indians. The Iroquois called these Agotsagenens. The 
Mohicans of New England were their kindred. The Wappingers 
were Algonquins of the lower Hudson, and the Montauks were 
Algonquins of Long Island. The Delawares, or Lenni-lenape, 
were also their kindred and divided into three families, of which 
the Munseys are best known. Their early homes were on the 
Delaware. There were many minor divisions, but the Minquas 
or Mengwe must not be classed with these as Ruttenber has done. 

The Ottawas were the Utawawas and Dowaganhaes, or Far 
Indians, embracing several nations. Among these were the 
Necariages or Ennikaragi. The Kiskakons made another, north 
of Lake Huron. 

The Illinois were on the Illinois river, and were known as 
Chictaghicks or Kichtages ; also Geghtigeghroones. Several dis- 
tinct tribes were included under this name. East of them the 
Miamis, Oumiamis or Weas, were called Twightwees by the 
Iroquois. The migratory Shawnees, or Shaounons, were also 
Satanas. The first name relates to their southern origin. 

The Ojibwas, or Chippewas, were called Ostiagaghroones by 
the Iroquois. The Saulteurs of the Sault Ste Marie were part 
of these, known as Estiaghicks. The Mississagas belonged to 
them, but came east from Lake Huron. 



HISTORY OF TPIE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 1 39 

The Maskoutins, or Assistaeronons, were the Fire Nation, 
more properly that of the prairies, and were also called Odislas- 
tagheks. They lived in Michigan, and iooo Maskoutins and 
Outagamis were reported as massacred near Detroit in 1712. 
They were foes of the Neutral nation, suffering much from them. 
The Nipissings, or Nipissiriniens, had this Algonquin name from 
nippi, water, and were called Squekaneronons by the Iroquois, 
from Lake Skekouen. The Sacs and Foxes, of the Algonquin 
family, at first lived north of Lake Ontario, but went west. The 
Iroquois called the latter Quaksies. 

The Catawbas were termed Flatheads, and some give the same 
name to the Choctaws, Cherokees and others. The Saponies 
and Toteros or Tuteloes were branches of the Catawbas, who 
removed to New York. 

The Nanticokes may have been the Tockwoghs of Virginia. 
They were called Unechtgo, Tawachguano, and by the Iroquois 
Skaniadarighroonas, afterward going west. Some consider the 
Conoys a part of these. After a brief residence in Pennsylvania 
both lived for many years in New York, on the Chenango river. 

The Cherokees were the Oyadagaono, called also T'kwentah- 
euhnane, People of a Beautiful Red Color. 

The early writers classified our northern aborigines as nomadic 
and sedentary, the latter having towns continuously inhabited 
and fields steadily cultivated. These remained for several years 
in a place, removing when fuel and fields were exhausted. 
Agriculture was rude, and the staples were the three supporters 
of life, corn, beans and squashes, with tobacco, added as a solace 
in rest or an aid in council. Squashes were dried for winter use, 
and corn and beans were kept in chests in houses, or in deep pits 
in the ground. The Iroquois found fish abundant in the waters 
and game in the forest, but could only dry or smoke these for 
preservation, not knowing the use of salt. Fruits were dried and 
nuts gathered, the latter furnishing an agreeable oil. 

When known to the whites, the Iroquois had almost abandoned 
the use of earthworks, preferring instead their strong palisades. 
Their houses were long, narrow, and of bark, nor did they adopt 



140 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

the log house for more than a century. The fires were placed 
at intervals in the long aisle, with couches or floors on either side, 
these huts often being of great length and holding many families. 

Their weapons were simple at first. An ungrooved stone ax, 
a long bow and arrows, defensive armor including a shield at 
times, a club with bone or stone inserted at the head, a knife of 
stone or bone and afterward of steel, furnished all that was 
needed in war. Nets and bone harpoons were used in fishing, 
and more rarely lines with bone hooks. Weirs and hurdles were 
also employed, but in shallow waters spearing was the favorite 
mode. Arrows were tipped with bone, horn, or stone, and the 
use of metal changed the material but not the form. Blowguns 
were largely used. 

Baskets and mats were woven in an artistic manner, and weav- 
ing embraced other simple articles. Thread and cords were made 
of Indian hemp and the inner bark of the elm, sinews also being 
used for many things. Baskets, bark vessels and carved wooden 
bowls were found in every house, and every Iroquois had his 
capacious and often handsome wooden spoon. At the period of 
European contact pottery had gone beyond simple lining, pinch- 
ing and dotting, and many clay vessels were ornamented with 
the human face or figure. According to the maker's taste or skill, 
such vessels were rude or elegant. This is true of the early pipes, 
in which the Iroquois chiefly used fine clay. They were often 
simple and of a curved trumpet form, but as frequently the bowl 
had some tasteful figure, facing the smoker. Sometimes the pipe 
was ornamented throughout. 

The true Iroquois canoe was of elm bark, quite clumsy in com- 
parison with the graceful birch bark of the northern Algonquins 
and Hurons. On the Mohawk river dugouts were sometimes 
used. Snowshoes aided winter travel, and the back frame was in 
favor for carrying some burdens. The sled was rarely used. 

Dress was scanty in summer, but ample in winter, and had the 
usual ornaments of feathers, beads or embroidery. Perforated 
or grooved teeth were much used, and the introduction of bronze 
and silver, with the white man's blanket, greatly changed primi- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I4I 

tive apparel. The neat and handsome moccasin long survived 
and beaded work is still used. At one time elaborate bone combs 
were much employed, and early writers mention stockings and 
mittens. 

In the household the large wooden pestle and mortar are still 
found, being preferred in mealing corn, for very good reasons. 
Basket sieves, stirring sticks and other things are still used, but 
the wooden spoon has had its day. 

Two early games were those of lacrosse and the dish or bowl, 
the latter now called the peach-stone game. Both these are wide- 
spread and of high antiquity. The latter is for great occasions, 
but has a modification for domestic use, which may be quite as 
old. The snow snake is of uncertain age, having no mention in 
early writings, as several minor games have not. The musical 
instruments were and are the flute, kettledrum and various kinds 
of rattles. 

Sepulture was rarely on the surface, the body being usually 
bound in a crouching posture and placed upright in a pit, but 
ways of burial varied greatly and sometimes curiously. Some 
memorial often marked the spot. Pits were also dug to hold 
grain, and many open ones may yet be seen. They are some- 
times mistaken for graves. Bone pits were rare, though much 
used by the Neutrals and Hurons. 

During the historic period wampum came into use in many 
ways, but was hardly known in the interior before. Wooden 
masks have an age of over two centuries and are still made. 
Worship has varied greatly, and consists mainly of singing and 
dancing. The great Iroquois feast was that once termed a turn- 
ing of the head, when dreams were related and the wildest follies 
committed. This at last became the white dog feast, now almost 
obsolete. There are many minor feasts, mostly of thanksgiving. 
Belonging to these are many dances, original and adopted, of 
which Morgan has given a long list, enumerating 32, with 
descriptions of many. 

As with all unlettered nations, the story-teller was a man of 
importance, giving pleasure in many an idle hour. His tales of 



142 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

travel were not always believed, but were heard with wonder. 
Any one could relate his own deeds ; he kept in memory those of 
the past. Count Zinzendorf said : " These Indians perpetuate the 
memory of their heroes in heroic poems, which are so accurately 
handed down orally that it is impossible for any one to boast 
of feats which he has not performed." Above all, the marvelous 
story-teller dwelt on the relations of man to the lower creation, 
originating or keeping in mind those pathetic or comic tales 
wherein men, birds and beasts meet as friends or foes ; often as 
kindred. David Cusick recorded briefly some of the more gro- 
tesque of these, telling of flying heads, stone giants, vampires, 
monstrous beasts, serpents and witches, but gave only a hint of 
the Indian tales told by the winter's fire. Welcome was the 
story-teller everywhere, nor was his fee of tobacco ever grudged. 

There was a higher purpose when the wampum was produced 
and its meaning revealed. That told of history, established cere- 
monies, moral laws. Songs were to be learned that religious 
rites might be duly observed ; other songs preserving the names, 
deeds and virtues of their ancestors, exactly learned for condoling 
the dead or raising new chiefs ; points of etiquette to be observed, 
for they were a punctilious people, having precise rules for every 
public act ; how to speak and how to dance, with many a regu- 
lation for private life. They often looked on their white friends 
as unpolished people, pitying them for their lack of good man- 
ners. Sometimes they even showed them the better way. 

The Algonquins were less sedentary than the Iroquois, and 
cultivated the soil much less. Some have made the Iroquois 
long house and the Algonquin circular hut marks of distinction, 
but these are far from invariable. The Iroquois have been con- 
sidered the higher intellectually and the more eloquent, but this 
was partly the result of their frequent regular or special councils 
as a great power. Indeed they adopted captives or allies so 
largely that but few of pure Iroquois blood may have lived in 
historic times. The training alone continued, and this developed 
a high type of aboriginal life. They were accustomed to plan, 
fight and rule. In later days their vantage ground between the 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I43 

French and English made them able diplomats, and they used 
their power well. 

Their eloquence has been celebrated and has not lost its power 
yet. Competent persons have testified that it lost rather than 
gained by interpretation. Colden says, in his History of the 
Five Nations: 

The speakers whom I have heard had all a great fluency of 
words and much more grace in their manner than any man could 
expect among a people entirely ignorant of the liberal arts and 
sciences. . . I have heard an old Indian sachem speak with 
much vivacity and elocution, so that the speaker pleased and 
moved his audience with the manner of delivering his discourse, 
which, however, as it afterwards came from the interpreter, dis- 
appointed us in our expectations. After the speaker had em- 
ployed a considerable time in haranguing with much elocution, 
the interpreter often explained the whole by one single sentence. 
I believe the speaker, in that time, embellished and advanced his 
figures, that they might have their full force on their imagination, 
while the interpreter contented himself with the sense, in as few 
words as it could be expressed. 

Of this Mr Parish, the interpreter, once said it was altogether 
impossible for him to impart to the translations anything like the 
force and beauty of the originals. He also stated that on great 
occasions, the Indian orators, Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother 
in particular, not only studied their speeches, and conned them 
well, but would send to him for rehearsals, in order that they 
might be assured that he understood them fully, and could trans- 
late them with accuracy. 

Examples will appear incidentally, but a quotation may be 
added from a French writer, who heard Dekanissora in 1694 : 

These are the words of Teganissorens, which he enunciated 
with as perfect a grace as is vouchsafed to an unpolished and 
uncivilized people. He went through his speech with freedom 
and collectedness, and concluded with a certain modesty and so 
great a show of respect and submission to the Count as to be 
remarked. 

Originally Iroquois speeches combined plain speech, intoning 
and pantomime. An account of Kiotsaeton's address and pres- 
ents appears in the Relation of 1645. "After a few words he began 



144 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

to sing, and his comrades responded. He promenaded in that 
great place as in a theater. He made a thousand gestures, he 
looked at the sky, he faced the sun, he rubbed his hands." The 
presents were made and explained in a soberer tone, and a few 
concluding words followed. " His manner and words were much 
praised. He intoned some songs between his presents, he danced 
for rejoicing; in short he showed himself a very good actor." 

Intoning was often used to show that a message or meaning 
was quoted. When Cammerhoff and Zeisberger were at the 
Onondaga council in 1750, a chief had a message to deliver from 
the Nanticokes : " To our astonishment an old Oneida began to 
sing the message which he had for the council in a very high 
tenor voice. He continued for more than half an hour." The 
Moravians explained their belt and string to Canassatego, and 
he spoke for them in the council. " He at once showed them the 
Fathom of Wampum and belt, and intoned in the usual Indian 
fashion the significance of each." 

Besides pantomime and songs there were early customs in 
speaking which have ceased. When Le Moyne was at Onondaga 
in 1654, he said : " I was the full space of two hours making all 
my harangue in the tone of a captain, promenading after their 
custom, like an actor on a stage." 

Chapter 3 

Clans and their divisions. Totemic bond. Line of descent. Migrations. 
Date of League. Carriers visit. Mohawks leave Canada. Traces of 
them there. Iroquois war. Algonquins at Montreal. First Mohawk 
towns in New York. Age of Huron nations. 

The three great and probably original clans found in each 
Iroquois nation are the Bear, Wolf and Turtle, and without these 
no council was valid. The Mohawks and Oneidas had only 
these, but the others had supplementary clans, varying in names 
and number. L. H. Morgan gave five of these to the Senecas : 
the Beaver, Deer, Snipe, Heron and Hawk. To the Cayugas he 
assigned the Snipe, Eel, Beaver, Deer and Hawk, but the Onon- 
dagas say that all Eels belong to them. To the Onondagas he 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I45 

gave the Snipe, Beaver, Ball, Deer and Eel, leaving out the Hawk 
clan. Both he and Horatio Hale mention the Ball clan, which is 
really a subdivision of the Turtle, commonly known as the Small 
Turtle. To the Tuscaroras he gave in full the Bear, Great and 
Little Turtle, Gray and Yellow Wolf, Eel, Beaver and Snipe. 
There are Onondaga Eels on that reservation, which may account 
for a supposed Tuscarora clan. He allowed them no Hawk clan, 
and assigned the Heron only to the Senecas. J. V. H. Clark's 
Onondaga enumeration is the Bear, Wolf, Turtle, Eel, Deer, 
Beaver, Eagle and Heron, substituting the latter for the Snipe, 
which is an Onondaga clan, and the Eagle for the Hawk, which 
seems proper. The writer belongs to the Eel clan. 

In 1666 there was a different enumeration and naming by a 
French writer. Nine Iroquois clans were named in two divisions, 
the first being called Guey-niotiteshesgue, meaning four tribes. 
These were the Turtle, or Atiniathin ; the Wolf, called Enan- 
thayonni or Cahenhisenhonon ; the Bear, or Atinionguin ; and the 
Beaver. The second division was Ouiche-niotiteshesgue, or five 
tribes. Of these the Deer was Canendeshe ; the Potato, Schones- 
chioronon ; the Great Plover, Otinanchahe ; the Little Plover, 
Asco or Nicohes; and the Eagle, Canonchahonronon. A French- 
man, adopted as a Seneca, gave another account in 1736, naming 
10 clans, but omitting the Wolf and Heron. They were the 
Bear, Turtle, Plover, Eel, Deer, Beaver, Potato, Falcon, Lark 
and Partridge. Variations are frequent. 

The Onondaga clans are now the Turtle, or Ho-te-neah-te ; 
Wolf, or Ho-te-kwa-ho ; Bear, or Ho-te-ska-wak ; Beaver, or Ho- 
te-hu-ne-wha-keh-ha-no, People of the Creek ; Snipe, or Ho-te-ne- 
see-yuh, People of the Sand; Eel, or Ho-te-teu-ha-kah, People 
of the Rushes ; Deer, or Da-hah-de-ge-nine, People of Hoofs ; 
and Hawk, or Ho-te-swe-gi-yu. They are the Boards, alluding 
to the large sticks in hawks' or eagles' nests. 

No one marries in his own clan, and not long since there were 
clan burials. When traveling, they are supposed to be enter- 
tained by those of their own clan. How five of the clans fared 
in visiting the Oneidas and Mohawks has not been explained. 



I46 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

In old times the totems appeared on every house, but the 
Mohawks at first had a village for each clan. This soon ceased. 
When a clan seemed dying out, it might be replenished from 
others. At one time the Mohawks preserved the Oneida nation 
in this way, supplying husbands for the women. 

The principal chiefs were unequally distributed among the 
clans, and some had none at all. This has been thought proof 
that these originated after the formation of the league. In later 
days there have been changes, and offices are not now always in 
the clans to which they first belonged. 

David Cusick, a native Tuscarora, said that " each nation con- 
tains sets of generations or tribes, viz : Otter, Bear, Wolf, Beaver, 
Turtle. Each tribe has two chiefs to settle disputes." School- 
craft found Eels resident among the Tuscaroras, but, in the face 
of all history, said it was not an Iroquois clan totem. Charlevoix 
spoke of the division of the Iroquois Turtle clan nearly two cen- 
turies ago : "The family of the Tortoise is split into two branches, 
called the Great and Little Tortoise. The chief of each family 
bears its name, and in all public deeds he is called by no other." 
The latter branch is the Ball clan of some writers, a name derived 
from a Hiawatha legend. 

Those who have treated of the Iroquois system as a carefully 
arranged and artificial plan, rather than a natural growth, have 
had much to say on the wisdom of the totemic bond, supposing 
that its great advantages had been foreseen. All members of a 
clan were considered near relatives ; the three principal clans 
belonged to all the nations, and their supposed family relationship 
and actual friendship seemed to bind all together. The rule 
against marrying in the same clan made another link. There 
was no household which did not belong to two or more clans. 
If a man might not have a place in the Grand Council by reason 
of his clan, his son possibly might, for father and child were 
never of the same. The children followed the mother's side in 
nation and tribe, thus enhancing her dignity. In many such 
ways the clan strengthened the league. A wise plan would have 
required each one of these everywhere, but they came in a simple 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 147 

and natural way. Mr Hale took the same view, considering that 
the three western nations adopted more captives or allies than 
the Oneidas and Mohawks, and thus had more clans. 

The examination of early New York sites has thrown much 
light on the time and manner of the Iroquois advent in New 
York, heretofore based on doubtful grounds, though historic proof 
seemed ample. No precise date can be given to the coming of 
the Cayugas and Senecas, but no great age can be allowed either 
of these. The case of the Onondagas is much clearer. The 
former seem to have come directly from the west, and the latter 
from the north, tarrying for awhile at the east end of Lake 
Ontario. Early in the 16th century they had some settlements 
in the north part of Onondaga county and south part of Oswego, 
but did not reach the hills whence they had their name till late 
in that century. Before its close they may have had one or two 
towns there. One occupied about 1600, or a little later, is closely 
connected by its relics with those having European articles. 

Possibly one early Oneida fort may be dated before 1580, but 
the one which had the earliest of those Oneida stones which 
gave name to the nation must have been later, and to this suc- 
ceeded the fort attacked by Champlain in 1615, also having its 
great boulder. The Oneidas remained among the higher hills 
till some time in the 18th century, when they sought the lower 
land. Their earlier homes seem to have been on either side of 
the St Lawrence, in the vicinity of the Oswegatchie river. From 
these two nations we might find an approximate date for the 
league, but Mohawk history, traditions and remains furnish much 
plainer evidence. 

Indian tradition is no sure guide, for, even when striking events 
are kept in mind, dates are almost certain to be confused. So 
those who depend on popular tales vary over a century in the 
date of the league. Mr Hale disregarded David Cusick's esti- 
mates of time, but followed his scheme of settlement and division 
of dialects, concluding that Mr Morgan was right in dating the 
league about 1459. These eminent writers knew little prac- 
tically of early Iroquois towns, and these silent witnesses did not 



14^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

affect their conclusions. Nor did plain history. Little was said 
of what Champlain, Charlevoix, Perrot, the Jesuits and others 
wrote, nor were Albert Gallatin's sober conclusions mentioned. 
Tradition and the varying accounts of Indian chiefs were trusted 
by both. Some Indians mentioned by Hale now deduct a cen- 
tury and a half, carrying the date of the league to near 1600. 
From similar Oneida statements, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland made 
this 1608. Heckewelder quoted from a manuscript volume of 
Pyrlaeus, the Moravian missionary, an account of the formation 
of the league which he had from a Mohawk chief : " The alliance 
or confederacy of the Five Nations was established, as near as 
can be conjectured, one age (or the length of a man's life) before 
the white people (the Dutch) came into the country." The 
words in parentheses are Heckewelder's, and the question may 
well be raised whether he was right. Shakspere gives seven ages 
to one man's life. Did the age of Pyrlaeus mean one man's life, 
or the generation of about 30 years ? What coming of the whites 
was meant? Was it that of Hudson, whom they may not have 
seen? or that of Champlain, whom they had reason to remember? 
or that of the Dutch, to trade or settle? The initial date is 
slightly confused. Some have assumed this as 1609, deducted 
70 years for a man's life, and dated the confederacy in 1539, which 
is much too early. If a generation of 30 years be allowed, we 
would have 1579, which approximates the true date of the 
Mohawk exodus. 

But if we are to quote Pyrlaeus at all, let us hear more, a thing 
seldom done. After noting the rank of the Mohawks and Onei- 
das, he proceeds to say : " The Senecas, who were the last who 
at that time had consented to the alliance, were called the young- 
est son ; but the Tuscaroras, who joined the confederacy prob- 
ably a hundred years afterwards, assumed that name, and the 
Senecas ranked before them, as being the next youngest son, or 
as we would say, the youngest son but one." Now the Tusca- 
roras were admitted about 1714, making the Seneca alliance about 
1614 and harmonizing with Champlain's distinction of the Sen- 
ecas from the Iroquois. Their union seems earlier than the date 
which Pyrlaeus here gives. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I49 

All traditions of the original league say that the Senecas were 
the last to join, and their own date may be cited from Schoolcraft : 
" There is a tradition among portions of the Senecas, that the 
present confederation took place four years before Hudson sailed 
up the river bearing his name. This gives A. D. 1605." Then 
Schoolcraft learned that Ephraim Webster was told by the Onon- 
dagas that the true date was " about the length of one man's life 
before the white men appeared." What white men this inland 
nation meant may be a question. On the date J. V. H. Clark 
cited the same person : " Webster, the Onondaga interpreter, and 
good authority, states it at about two generations before the 
white people came to trade with the Indians." 

In 1875 some Onondaga chiefs told Mr Hale that " it was their 
belief that the confederacy was formed about six generations 
before the white people came to these parts." He allowed 25 
years to a generation or 150 years for all. Deduct these from 
1609 and there remains Morgan's date of 1459. The same Onon- 
dagas afterward testified in court that the date was about 1600. 
It is evident that such statements are not reliable. What does 
history, what does the Iroquois country itself say? 

I n r 535 Jacques Cartier ascended the St Lawrence to Quebec 
and Montreal, finding Iroquois spoken more or less all the way, 
and preserving many words and names. At Montreal he visited 
and described the Iroquois town of Hochelaga. They long- 
remembered that visit and seem to have mentioned it in a council 
at Albany, June 2, 1691, though they may have referred to 
Captain Jacobs, who reached Albany in 1623, or perhaps con- 
fused both with Hudson's coming. 

We have been informed by our Forefathers that in former 
times a Ship arrived here in this Country which was matter of 
great admiration to us, especially our desire was to know what 
was within her Belly. In that Ship were Christians, amongst 
the rest one Jaques with whom we made a Covenant of friend- 
ship, which covenant hath since been tied together with a chaine 
and always ever since kept inviolable by the Brethren and us. 

A probable reference to Cartier's visit by the Mohawks is found 
on the map of 1616, and is thus translated : " But as far as one can 



i^o new York State museum 

understand from what the Maquas say and show, the French 
came with sloops as high up as to their country to trade with 
them." As this note is placed near the site of Albany on the 
map, it has been understood to refer to the Hudson river instead 
of the St Lawrence, though the latter was Iroquois territory 
and the former was not. Though there were Iroquois all along 
the St Lawrence when Cartier ascended it, Champlain found 
only Algonquins when he went up that great stream in 1603. 
Where had the ancient inhabitants gone ? 

The story has been told by De la Potherie, Charlevoix, Colden 
and others, and has much to confirm it incidentally. Charlevoix 
said it was the most credible story of the origin of the Iroquois 
war that he could find, and thought this was of somewhat recent 
date when Champlain came. The Iroquois and Adirondacks 
lived peaceably together on the river; the former cultivating 
their fields as Cartier describes, and the latter employing their 
time in hunting, each supplying the needs of the other. On one 
occasion, when the Iroquois wished to try hunting, the Algon- 
quins consented, willing to show their superior skill. Six of 
each went along, but the Algonquins left the Iroquois in the 
camp, taking the hunt to themselves but taking nothing else. 
Three days passed and they killed nothing. Then the Iroquois 
went out secretly with great success. Night came on, and their 
jealous companions killed them all while asleep. When this was 
at last discovered, they scornfully refused redress to their injured 
friends. Powerless to do anything then, the Iroquois " bound 
themselves by oath to perish to a man, or to have their revenge." 
They left their country, learned war prudently and successfully, 
and in due time, said Charlevoix, " they poured all at once upon 
the Algonquins, and commenced that war of which we saw only 
the conclusion, and which set all Canada on fire. . . Those 
who suffered most were the Hurons, who engaged in this war as 
allies, auxiliaries, or neighbors to the Algonquins, or because they 
lay in the way of both." 

Colden said they went to New York, easily drove off the 
Satanas, or Shawnees, practised stratagems because of their 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 151 

weakness, and then turned their arms against the Adirondacks 
or Algonquins with success. Charlevoix adds that, while the 
Algonquins took no precautions against surprise, " the Iroquois 
alone use more circumspection in war, and there is no doubt that 
it is one of the principal causes of the superiority which they have 
acquired over the enemies who have never yielded to them in 
valor, and might easily have crushed them by numbers." That 
this war was recent when Champlain came is evident. Though 
this had caused them to abandon the islands of Lake Champlain, 
the Indians with the great explorer in 1609 told him that the Ver- 
mont shore belonged to the Iroquois, and that there were beau- 
tiful valleys and fertile cornfields there. Even in 1636 a mission- 
ary on the St Lawrence said : " The savages have shown me some 
places where the Iroquois formerly cultivated the land." He 
advised them to use these, so that they could not have greatly 
changed. 

There is a reference to the beginning of this war in Champlain's 
account of the proposed peace between the Iroquois and Algon- 
quins in 1622. The Indians said " they were tired and weary of 
wars which they had had for more than fifty years ; and that 
their fathers had never wished to enter into treaty, on account of 
the desire for vengeance which they wished to obtain for the 
murder of their friends, who had been killed ; but, having con- 
sidered the good which might result, they resolved, as has been 
said to make peace." 

This would place the beginning of the Iroquois war about 1570. 
In the Relation of 1660 there is a sketch of the varying fortunes 
of the Mohawks since 1600 and before. " Toward the end of the 
last century the Agnieronnons had been brought so low by the 
Algonquins that there appeared almost no more of them upon 
the earth. In a few years they overcame their foes and reduced 
them to the same state. Then the Andastes harassed them, and 
they were in great fear. The Dutch came and gave them guns ; 
they were again victors and never lost their advantage. All that 
the French could learn of their military history went not far 
back in the 16th century." 



152 

The early writers treat their recent residence on the St Law- 
rence as a well known fact, but some mention Algonquins who 
were present at the founding of Montreal in 1642. One said his 
grandfather lived there, and added : " The Hurons, who were then 
our enemies, chased our ancestors from this country; some 
retired toward the land of the Abnaquiois, the others to the land 
of the Iroquois, and one part turned to the Hurons themselves, 
uniting with them, and behold the land was made almost a 
desert." This either combines the expulsion of the Iroquois 
with that of the Algonquins, or makes it precede this, and agrees 
with the Huron account that they received another nation about 
1590, making due allowance for Indian dates. Indeed those 
Algonquins who went to the Iroquois may have inflamed them 
against the great body of the Hurons, and thus led to war. 

These early references to the exodus of the Mohawks from 
Canada have recently had the aid of archeology, and one ques- 
tion now is, what evidences of early Iroquois occupation does 
the lower Mohawk valley present? There are camps and graves, 
and some insignificant hamlets belonging to prehistoric times 
and of brief occupancy. But three prehistoric forts are known, in 
two of which one or two ornaments of European make have been 
found. Both of these forts are north of the river, and both are 
distinctly related to the succeeding historic towns. The third is 
a few miles south of the Mohawk, and was at first said to yield 
European articles, but later explorers have found none. Its 
relics have not such distinct relations to succeeding town sites, 
but its Iroquois character is clear. These are all the town sites 
known to belong to the New York Mohawks of precolonial times. 
It is possible one or two more may be found. 

It is well known that the Mohawks once had three tribal 
towns, one for each of their three clans, differing in this from 
the other Iroquois, but this feature did not last long. It is also 
well known that early Iroquois towns changed their sites every 
10 or 15 years on an average. Making the removal of these three 
occur in 1600, and allowing them a period of 20 years, their set- 
tlement would have been about 1580. Another 20 years or less 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 153 

would have brought succeeding towns well into the Dutch period, 
and would account for the abundant European ornaments. The 
earlier ones may have come from the French in Canada. Their 
vessels haunted the lower St Lawrence, trading with the natives, 
who carried their wares far inland. There is full proof of this. 

Some time should be allowed for the Mohawks' exodus ; but 
from Champlain's account their war with the remaining Canadian 
Indians should be dated about 1570, and the Algonquin expulsion 
from Montreal varied little. The grandsire of one of the Algon- 
quins of 1642 had lived there, and 70 years is ample time to allow 
for this. The dates may then be 1560 for the withdrawal of the 
Mohawks, a little later for the occupancy of their valley, and 
some interval may have elapsed before forming the league. It is 
customary to date the statement of Pyrlaeus from Hudson's 
voyage, but that explorer probably saw no Mohawks and it 
seems more reasonable to count from active trade with the 
Dutch, or the founding of Fort Orange, The true date of the 
confederacy seems to lie between the years 1570 and 1600. 

One more statement may help us. Bearing in mind the num- 
bers of the Iroquois and their frequent removals, any experienced 
person can see that their coming into New York can not be placed 
very far back, for the number and character of the sites will not 
allow this. A brief period covers the longest occupation of any 
early site, but some forts were inhabited but a few weeks. A 
good observer can sometimes closely determine the time. His- 
tory aids us a little here. The Iroquois and Hurons were closely 
related, the Mohawks being a recent offshoot of the latter. In 
the Relation of 1639 it is said of the Hurons : 

The general or common name of these nations, according to 
the language of the country, is Ouendat ; the individual names 
are Attignaouantan, Attigneenongnahac, Arendahronons, and 
Tohontaenrat. The first two are the two most considerable, as 
having received and adopted the others into their country. The 
one within fifty years in this, and the other within thirty. The 
first two speak with assurance of the dwelling of their ancestors, 
and of the different situations of their villages for more than two 
hundred years, for, as it may be observed in preceding Relations, 
they are obliged to change their place at least every ten years. 



154 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Here it appears that two of the Huron nations came into their 
land rather early in the 15th century, according to themselves, 
but probably later; that they received another nation about 1590, 
or after the Mohawk exodus; and that the fourth nation joined 
them about 1610. 

Chapter 4 

Origin of league. Probable date. Allotment of sachems. Hiawatha. 
Names of sachems and their meaning. Other chiefs. Name and terri- 
tory of each nation. Council names. Brotherhoods. Name of league. 
Iroquois and Algonquin name. Place of formative council. Influence 
of women. 

Of the formation of the Iroquois league Pyrlaeus received an 
account in 1743, which differs only in brevity from all later ones. 
It was proposed by Thannawage, an aged Mohawk, and Togana- 
wita appeared for the Mohawks, Otatschechta for the Oneidas, 
Tatoyarho for the Onondagas, Togarhayon for the Cayugas, and 
Ganiatario and Satagarnyes for the Senecas. These names are 
in the Mohawk dialect and were to be preserved by successive 
chiefs. This has been done with the exception of the first, who 
has no nominal successor. He considered himself the founder 
of the league, and no one could follow him in this. In the con- 
doling song his name appears with the five other founders, but 
is not in the list of the 50 principal chiefs. 

Mr Hale said, adhering to an early date, " If the League was 
formed, as seems probable, about the year 1450, the speeches and 
hymn, in their present form, may reasonably be referred to the 
early part of the next century." The song treats all the 50 orig- 
inal chiefs as dead, and laments the good old times. 

There is no real discrepancy in referring the suggestion of the 
league to a Mohawk chief. Hi-a-wat-ha was an Onondaga, 
afterward adopted by the Mohawks, and his name, variously 
translated, is second in the list of their 9 principal chiefs, entitled 
to sit in the Grand Council. The Oneidas had 9 of these, the 
Onondagas 14, the Cayugas 10, and the Senecas 8, or 50 ifr all. 
When one of these dies, another is raised in his place and takes 
his name. The Senecas may always have formed two bands, 
accounting for two leading chiefs. In the Grand Council -they 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 155 

have the fewest of all, the attendance at first being determined by- 
distance and interest, and the Senecas being the last to favor the 
league. In representation this made no difference, each nation 
having but one vote, and its chiefs agreeing what that should be. 
Though there were these principal chiefs succeeding to the old 
titles, it is historically true that there were often more, increasing 
or diminishing as might be expedient. There are many cases 
where more than the regular number are mentioned, and prin- 
cipal chiefs were deposed or restored when desired. War chiefs 
were often leaders in war and assistants to the principal chiefs 
in peace, as they are now. There are impressive ceremonies for 
the raising of each, and they are usually nominated by the women, 
who have great power, but do not speak in council. Another 
class is of the pinetree chiefs, having their roots in the sky and 
their power from their goodness, but rules varied much. 

The Hi-a-wat-ha legends are many and different. He was the 
reputed founder of the league in the way of suggestion and work, 
and the inventor of wampum with some, this being new to the 
Iroquois at the beginning of the 17th century. In most tales he 
travels through the nations, explaining his views and giving the 
national and council names by which they have since been known. 
Though slightly known before, Mr J. V. H. Clark first gave wide 
circulation to the story in its most fanciful and popular form, too 
well known to require repetition in detail. He had this from 
Onondaga chiefs. Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha comes to earth and delivers 
it from many evils, becomes a man indeed as Hiawatha, con- 
venes a council, forms the league, and ascends to heaven again 
in his white canoe. Mr Clark said that Hiawatha's often quoted 
speech was a pure invention of his own. In all these tales the 
council ground is at Onondaga lake, though the Onondagas then 
lived a score of miles away. Schoolcraft had the story from 
Clark, and at last it took a western form. 

The earliest of these tales was published by William Dunlap 
in 1839, in his History of the Nezv Netherlands. He had it from 
the Onondaga interpreter, Ephraim Webster, and, not remem- 
bering the chiefs name, he called him Oweneko. He was an 



156 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

unselfish man, while the principal Onondaga chief was ambitious. 
By proposing to make him head of all, he at last secured his aid 
and the league was formed. It is curious that David Cusick 
said nothing of Hiawatha, while he described fully the appearance 
of Atotarho, nor does the latter come into Clark's tale of 
Hiawatha. 

Of the plainer and more reasonable accounts the best is that 
of Horatio Hale, who grew eloquent over the story of this Indian 
sage. That his enthusiasm carried him too far, few will ques- 
tion, but no one will deny that he had a good subject for this. 
Hiawatha came of a race which was a match for European diplo- 
macy and which produced many high-minded, heroic and chival- 
rous men. 

Briefly the story runs like this. Hiawatha, He who seeks his 
Lost Mind which he knows where to find, (the Onondaga inter- 
pretation) was an Onondaga who wished the kindred nations of 
New York to abolish war among themselves. The Onondaga 
chief, Tadodaho, opposed this, being a grim and ferocious war- 
rior, jealous of his own power. At a national council he defeated 
the project. A second followed with the same result, and at the 
third one Hiawatha was alone. Then he went to the Mohawks 
with many adventures on the way. In his camp, near the 
Mohawk town, some young men found him stringing a kind of 
wampum, made of quills, the use of which he explained. Then 
he and the great chief Dekanawidah met. The Mohawk chief 
approved the plan of union, and the Mohawks ratified it in coun- 
cil. The Oneida chief, Otatshehteh, was consulted, but deferred 
the question for a time. On his approval another council was 
held at Onondaga with the old result. Then the Cayugas were 
approached and gave a quick consent. Another council met at 
Onondaga and a new proposal was made. Tadodaho was to be 
the head of the confederacy, and the Onondagas were to keep 
the great council fire. This made both desirous to extend the 
league. The Senecas were consulted, and the office of military 
commanders was offered to two of their great chiefs, Ganyadariyo 
and Shadekaronyes. On their acceptance the final steps were 
taken at Onondaga lake. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 157 

Dayid Cusick, however, said : " The Bear tribes nominate the 
Chief Warrior of the nation. The laws of the confederation pro- 
vides the Onondagas to furnish a King, and the Mouhawks a 
great war chief of the Five Nations." In his own peculiar way he 
described the first ruler : 

About this time the Five Families become independent nations, 
and they formed a council fire in each nation, etc. Unfortunately 
a war broke out among the Five Nations: during the unhappy 
differences the Atotarho was the most hostile chief, resided at the 
fort Onondaga; his head and body was ornamented with black 
snakes; his dishes and spoons were made of skulls of the enemy; 
after a while he requested the people to change his dress, the 
people immediately drove away the snakes. 

His name of Tatotarho or Tadodaho, The Entangled, alludes to 
this mythic feature. The principal Onondaga chief, however, 
was often called by the council name of the nation, and sometimes 
by what may be another official title. Cusick enumerated 13 
successive Atotarhos down to the time of the discovery, and 
there have been several since. An attempt has been made to fix 
the date of the league from this, but the results are not reliable. 

The names of the 50 principal chiefs follow, as given in the 
Onondaga dialect. They vary in the Seneca and Mohawk, in the 
latter of which they are commonly sung at condolences. The 
Mohawk chiefs are nine : Te-kie-ho-ke w , Two Voices ; Hi-e- 
wat-ha, One who seeks his Lost Mind which he knows where 
to find ; Shat-e-kie-wat-he, Two Stories in One, i. e. the same 
story from two persons; Sah-e-ho'-na, He is a Tree with Large 
Branches ; Te-yon-ha'-kwen, That which we live on ; O-weh- 
he-go-na, Large Flower ; Te-hah-nah-gai-eh-ne, Two Horns 
lying down ; Has-tah-wen-sent-hah, Holding the Rattles; Sau- 
te-gai-e-wat-ha, Plenty of Large Limbs on a Tree. 

The Oneida chiefs are also nine, as follows : O-tat-sheh-te or 
Tat-sheh-te, Bearing a Quiver; Ga-no-gwen-u-ton, Setting up 
Ears of Corn in a Row ; Ty-o-ha-gwen-te, Open Voice ; Sho- 
non-ses, His Long House; To-na-oh-ge-na, Two Branches of 
Water; Hat-ya-ton-nent-ha, He swallows his Own Body from 



158 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

the Foot; Te-ha-tah-on-ten-yonk, Two Hanging Ears; Ha-nea- 
tok-hae-yea, Throat lying down; Ho-was-ha-tah-koo, They dis- 
inter Him. 

The Onondagas have 14 chiefs in the grand council : Tah-too- 
ta-hoo, Entangled; Ho-ne-sa-ha', perhaps The Best Soil upper- 
most; Te-hat-kah-tous, Looking all over; O-ya-ta-je-wak, Bit- 
ter in the Throat; Ah-we-ke-yat, End of the Water; Te-hah- 
yut-kwa-ye, Red on the Wing; Ho-110-we-eh-to, He has disap- 
peared ; Ga-wen-ne-sen-ton, Her Voice scattered ; Ha-he-ho, 
Spilling now and then ; Ho-neo-nea-ne', Something was made 
for Him, or was Laid down before Him ; Sha-de-gwa-se, He is 
bruised ; Sah-ko-ke-he, He may see Them ; Hoo-sah-ha-hon, 
Wearing a Weapon in his Belt ; Ska-nah-wah-ti, Over the Water. 

The Cayugas had 10 chiefs : Te-ka-ha-hoonk, He looks both 
Ways ; Ta-ge-non-tah-we-yu, Coming on its Knees ; Ka-ta- 
kwa-je, It was bruised; So-yone-wes, He has a Long Wampum 
Belt; Ha-ta-as-yon-e, He puts One on Another; To-wen-yon-go, 
It touches the Sky ; Jote-to-wa-ko, Cold on Both Sides ; Ta-hah- 
wet-ho, Mossy Place ; Too-tah-he-ho, Crowding Himself ; Des- 
kah-he, Resting on It. 

There are eight Seneca chiefs : Kan-ya-tai-yo, Beautiful Lake ; 
Sat-ta-kaa-yes, Skies of Equal Length ; Sa-tea'-na-wat, He holds 
on to It; Sa-ken-jo-nah, Large Forehead; Ga -noon- gay -e, 
Threatened; Nis-hi-nea-nent-hah, The Day fell down; Kah- 
none-ge-eh-tah-we, They burned their Hair ; Ta-ho-ne-ho-gah- 
wen, Open Door. 

The Tuscaroras have nine principal chiefs, who are : Ta'-ha- 
en-te-yah-wak-hon, Encircling and holding up a Tree, which 
is also the council name ; Sa-kwi-sa or Se-qua-ri-se-ra ; Tah-ka- 
yen-ten-ah ; Ta-wah-a-kate ; Kah-en-yah-che-go-nah ; Ta-ka-hen- 
was-hen ; Ho-tach-ha-ta ; Na-wah-tah-toke, Two Moccasins 
Standing together; Sah-go-hone-date-hah, The One that spares 
Another. One or two of these may be doubtful, but none rank in 
the council as high as the others. 

Besides the chiefs there was the distinguished rank of Agoian- 
ders, a kind of nobility made up of men and women, often referred 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 159 

to in early writings. These persons had special duties and privi- 
leges, and one dance was called after them. The false faces and 
medicine societies do not correspond to them, though these have 
peculiar functions and honors. 

Two of their national names were foreign to their language 
and came from their enemies. Mohawk is not an Iroquois word, 
nor could a Mohawk once pronounce it. For some time the 
Algonquin family lay between the Dutch and that nation, and 
both they and the English accepted the names known to those 
living near them. The Dutch called them Maquas or Bears, 
that clan being prominent. Hence Father Bruyas wrote : " Gan- 
niagwari, A she bear; This is the name of the Mohawks." Their 
accepted name, however, was Canienga, At the Flint, or People 
of the Flint ; commonly given as Annies or Agniers by the 
French. This was connected with the idea of striking fire with 
a steel, and the steel became their national symbol. As this was 
an early name they may have learned to use the steel from 
Cartier or others in Canada, long before the rest had any contact 
with Europeans, and Sir William Johnson derived their name 
from the steel itself. Bruyas gave kannia for gunflint, which is 
near the French form of the national name. As for our horn- 
stone, usually termed flint, it was as abundant in all the other 
Iroquois territory as among the Mohawks. The use of this with 
the steel made a distinction. 

The Dutch divided the Iroquois into Maquas and Senecas, 
Champlain into Iroquois and Entouhonorons, and later French 
writers into lower and upper Iroquois. They had everywhere, a 
terrible reputation, which others should have shared. Roger 
Williams said : " The Maguauogs, or Men-eaters, that live three 
or four hundred miles west from us, make a delicious monstrous 
dish of the heads and brains of their enemies." Their common 
name of Mohawk came from another given by their enemies, 
Mohowaug, They eat -Living Creatures. 

Besides the national title each nation had a council name by 
which it was addressed in public conferences. David Cusick 
gave this for the Mohawks as Te-haw-re-ho-geh, A Speech 



l60 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Divided. There are other interpretations, all referring to a 
division, mostly of words. Albert Cusick thought the best ren- 
dering, A Heart divided into Two Hearts, equivalent to our 
E pluribus unum, and perhaps- referring to their peculiar union. 
The national boundary east was the top of the hills east of Scho- 
harie creek ; on the west it is said to have been at Little Falls. 
Northward they claimed to the rock Rogeo on Lake Champlain. 
Thence to the St Lawrence they asserted a joint ownership with 
their near relatives, the Oneidas. Their villages continually 
varied in number, changing from one side of the river to the other. 

The Oneidas were closely akin to the Mohawks, and their 
language is much the same. Both used the letter L freely, that 
being of rare occurrence in the other nations, and their use as 
interpreters, with the Mohawks, has left a distinct impress on the 
Indian terminology of New York. Their early seat was prob- 
ably in the St Lawrence valley, with forts north and south of 
Ogdensburg. They seem to have shared in the Mohawk exodus, 
and to have sought secluded and strong situations, as both Mo- 
hawks and Onondagas did. All three were for a time more 
exposed to hostile incursions than the Cayugas and Senecas, for 
the Neutral nation lay between the latter and the Hurons, and the 
Algonquins were far away. For this reason the early Oneidas 
never dwelt in the lowlands about Oneida lake and farther east, 
and no traces of them are found there. They sought the hills. 

One early village east of Chittenango creek and Cazenovia lake 
seems theirs, but the earliest identified with their name was a 
mile southeast of Perryville, at a remarkable stone now destroyed, 
but long venerated by the Indians. It was a dark crystalline 
rock, quite erect and reaching about 7 feet above ground. Their 
name refers to this, being People of the Stone, or more exactly 
the Upright Stone. In 161 5 they were at Nichols' pond in Fenner, 
a few miles away. That village also included a large boulder, 
and similar representative stones were selected as their villages 
moved northward. The Rev. Samuel Kirkland, an excellent 
authority, mentioned one in Westmoreland. The Oneida stone 
of 1796 was a somewhat cylindric boulder, weighing over 100 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS l6l 

pounds. Another is in Forest Hill cemetery, Utica N. Y. Aug 
was often added to Oneida to signify locality, or ronon for people. 
Their council name is Ne-haw-re-tah-go-wah, or Big Tree, refer- 
ring to Hiawatha's finding them by a large tree which they had 
just cut down. 

The French usually termed their town Onneiout, and their 
name was first mentioned and castle described from within by 
Arent Van Curler in 1634. He thought them a part of the Sen- 
ecas. The next year they appeared in the list of Iroquois nations 
in the Jesuit Relation. The Delawares termed the Mohawks 
Sankhicani, or Fire-striking People, a translation of their own 
name. The Oneidas were W'Tassone, Stone Pipe-makers, from 
their excellence in this art. 

Ononta, said an early French writer, means a hill or moun- 
tain. The present terminal in Onondaga is locative, and the 
word ronon was for a time added to signify people. Their Dela- 
ware name also referred to their situation. For a century they 
were on the hills near Limestone creek, in various places, leaving 
that valley in 1681, and making their home on Butternut creek 
for about 40 years more. Their removal to Onondaga creek is 
not so exactly known, but was not far from 1720. In that valley 
they have moved several times. The French found them on 
Indian hill, Pompey, in 1654, and first mentioned them in 1635. 
Van Curler came in contact with them early that year. The 
league was formed by Onondaga lake, and the Grand Council 
met in their town. Their council name is Seuh-no-keh-te, Bear- 
ing the Names, and sometimes the principal chief and town were 
tailed by this. As with all Indian names it is variously spelled. 

The gradual increase in power or security is well illustrated by 
the nation's progressive removals from secluded to exposed 
situations. Champlain noticed this practice in speaking of the 
Hurons and Senecas in'1616: "Sometimes they change their 
Village of ten, of twenty, or thirty years, and transport it from 
one, two, or three leagues from the preceding place, unless they 
are constrained by their enemies to dislodge and to go far away, 
as the Antouhonorons had done from some 40 to 50 leagues." 



102 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The Seneca territory had included both sides of the Genesee 
valley, but, when the Huron war broke out, they withdrew their 
towns to the east side. Most writers make the duration of a 
town from 10 to 15 years. With the use of steel axes in getting 
fuel the time increased greatly. 

The French at first called the Cayugas Onioenronons, and their 
principal town and country Onioen. Afterward they termed 
them Goyoguins, sometimes omitting the first letter. The 
Moravians called them Gajukas, equivalent to our Cayugas. 
Though the whole of Cayuga lake belonged to them, they lived 
mostly at the lower end and on the river below. In early days 
they were east of the lake, but afterward had several villages on 
the western shore, and others later on the Susquehanna and its 
branches. 

David Cusiek's name is much like the later French form, and 
he defines Go-yo-goh as Mountain rising from the Water. L. H. 
Morgan gave it as Gwe-u-gweh, At the Mucky Land; and 
Albert Cusick, in accord with interpretations elsewhere, as 
Kwe-u-kwe, Where they drew their Boats ashore. In every 
case there may be a reference to the high and firm land above 
the marshes. Their council name is Soh-ne-na-we-too-na, Great 
Pipe, and this is their symbol. The Delawares called them after 
the lake. 

That Champlain, when he came from the Huron country in 
1615, meant the lake of the Senecas by that of the Entouhonorons, 
or Lake Ontario, seems very plain. Between Entouhonorons 
and Sonnontouehronons there is less difference than often occurs 
in early writers. Champlain had noted that this people had* 
drawn in their frontier towns, something needful to the Senecas 
alone. The question is rather whether he included some other 
Iroquois nations with them, as the Dutch did. This seems the 
case, and his words imply a loose confederation, such as might 
be expected at first. In describing his map he tells of the fort 
of 1615, where he " went to war against the Antouhonorons," 
elsewhere mentioned as an Iroquois fort. In another place he 
said this: 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 163 

The Antouhonorons are 15 villages, built in strong positions; 
enemies of all others except the Neutral nation ; their country 
is fine and in a good climate near the River St Lawrence, the 
passage of which they block to all other nations. . . The 
Yroquois and the Antouhonorons make war together against all 
the other nations except the Neutral nation. Carantouanis is a 
nation to the south of the Antouhonorons . . . from whom 
they are only three days distant. 

Here are several particulars. The Antouhonorons were dis- 
tinct from but allied with the Iroquois. They were south of 
Lake Ontario, but commanded the St Lawrence. They were at 
peace with the Neutrals. The Carantouanis lay three days south 
of them, and these have been placed near Waverly N. Y., and 
were also but three days from the fort in Madison county. The 
inference is that Champlain meant the Mohawks when he com- 
monly spoke of the Iroquois, and sometimes included the other 
four nations as the Antouhonorons. 

The French called the Seneca country Sonnontouan, and the 
Seneca people Sonnontouehronons or Tsonnontouans, which is 
very near the name of the Onondagas in meaning, implying 
dwellers on or among the great hills. Their common name is 
Algonquin, received by the Dutch from the Indians near the 
coast. Hon. George S. Conover derived it from the common 
word sinni, to eat, in allusion to cannibal tastes, or their being 
devourers of men in a more warlike sense. Horatio Hale, on 
the authority of Mr E. G. Squier, gave Sinako as the Delaware 
name for stone snakes, or as applied to the Senecas for mountain 
snakes. This word does not appear in Zeisberger's Delaware 
vocabulary; and Mr Hale spoke doubtfully of it. In fact, 
Heckewelder gave the Delaware name of the Senecas as 
Maechachtinni, Mountaineers, and he is good authority. Their 
council name is Ho-neen-ho-hone-tah in Onondaga, Possessing 
a Door. David Cusick gave it as Te-how-nea-nyo-hent, with 
the same meaning. 

The Tuscaroras were added in 1714, their name signifying the 
Shirt-wearing People, and the confederacy has since commonly 
been termed the Six Nations. Their position is not equal to the 



164 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

others, but more like that of our territories. Except by courtesy 
they have no votes, nor had they any title to the lands on which 
they lived till they secured their present reservation. Their 
council name is Tu-hah-te-ehn-yah-wah-kou, Those who em- 
brace the Great Tree ; perhaps because the Oneidas received 
them. The Indian idea is that the Five Nations are the house, 
the Tuscaroras like a woodhouse, built outside but attached. 

In describing their symbols in 1736, the Onondaga device was 
a cabin on top of a hill, the Mohawk a flint and steel, the Oneida 
a stone in the fork of a tree, the Cayuga a great pipe, and the 
Seneca a mountain. Charlevoix made a curious but not surpris- 
ing mistake in these signatures as made in 1700. Indian draw- 
ing is not yet artistic, and he said, " The savages signed, each 
one putting the mark of his nation at the foot of the treaty. The 
Onondagas and Tsonnontouans traced a spider, the Goyogouins 
a calumet, etc." The former were hills. 

The relationship of the nations has sometimes changed, but at 
present the Mohawks, Onondagas and Senecas are the elder 
brothers; the Oneidas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras the younger. 
Pyrlaeus said that at first the Mohawks were the elder brother, 
the Oneidas eldest son, and the Senecas youngest son. Then the 
Tuscaroras became youngest son. The Mohawks were always 
considered the oldest brother, and the present arrangement is at 
least 150 years old. When chiefs die or are to be raised in either 
of these, the opposite brotherhood takes charge of all the cere- 
monies and installs the new chiefs. In Canada now, where every 
nation and chief corresponds to those in New York, there is a 
difference in voting. The older and younger brothers separately 
determine what their vote shall be, and, if they disagree, the 
Onondagas, as fire-keepers, have the casting vote. In this case 
the Onondagas sit in the center of the council house, and the 
representatives of the two brotherhoods are on opposite sides. 
Each announces its vote, and the fire-keepers do the same. The 
latter are supposed to kindle and cover the fire. There is a 
similar division of clans for games and feasts. 

The names by which the league was called are less than some 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 165 

have thought. The Algonquins of New Jersey and Pennsyl- 
vania termed the Andastes, or Susquehannas, Minquas. These 
were both the kindred and enemies of the Five Nations ; and, 
after the Iroquois had subjugated them, the whole family was 
termed Mingo in Pennsylvania, as speaking the same language. 
Thus Logan the Cayuga is often called a Mingo. There were 
other foreign names of less note. 

Their own name came from comparing their league to one of 
their long houses, having a door at each end and separate fires 
for each family through the length of the house. This title has 
been variously spelled and translated. The Moravians called 
them Aquanoschioni, prefixing a syllable, and rendering it 
Covenant or United People. Hale gave the Mohawk name as 
Rotinonsionni, They of the Extended House. Morgan gave the 
Seneca as Ho-de-no-sau-nee, People of the Long House. Bruyas 
interpreted Hotinnonsionni as Cabin -makers. The Onondaga 
name is Kan-no-se-o'-ne, A Long House made of Several Houses 
put together. David Cusick simply made the name Goo-nea- 
seah-ne mean Long House. The Rev. Mr Dellius, in 1694, 
thought Honontonchionni equivalent to " Konossioni, which is 
the whole howse, or all the Indians together." The Relation of 
1654 said that the Iroquois call themselves " Hotinnonchiendi, 
that is to say, the finished cabin, as if they were only one family." 

Charlevoix's fanciful account of the origin of the word, Iro- 
quois, has been generally accepted till quite recently. He said, 
" The name of Iroquois is purely French, and has been formed 
from the term hiro, ' I have spoken,' a word by which these 
Indians close all their speeches, and koue' ', which when long 
drawn out, is a cry of sorrow, and when briefly uttered, is an 
exclamation of joy." 

The truth is that this was an early Algonquin name for this 
people, which Champlain had from the Indians on the lower St 
Lawrence in 1603, six years before he met the Iroquois on Lake 
Champlain, and when he could have known nothing of their 
speech. He seems to have found this in constant use east of 
that place, and before he encountered any people speaking the 



1 66 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Huron tongue. This fact invalidates Mr Hale's idea that it was 
of Huron origin, deriving it primarily from garokzva, a pipe, and 
thence from the indeterminate verb ierokzva, they who smoke. 
As all Indians smoked, this has no force. He hazarded another 
supposition, that, as Maquas were sometimes termed Bears, for 
which the Mohawk name was Ohkwari, and the Cayuga Iakwai 
(Yekwai in Schoolcraft), the term Iroquois might have come from 
this. Mr Brant-sero would derive it from the Mohawk I-ih rongwe, 
I am the Real Man; Mr David Boyle from karakzva, the sun. 
All these conjectures are plausible, but we must remember that 
the name was Algonquin, and that the termination was in com- 
mon use by that family at that time, as applied to nations and 
tribes, having the force of the Iroquois ronon or people. One has 
but to remember the Abenaquois, Soriquois, Almouchiquois, 
Charioquois or Hurons, and many others, to see what the ter- 
minal means. 

Recognizing its Algonquin origin, Mr J. N. B. Hewitt says it 
" suggests the Algonquin words irin, true or real ; ako, snake ; 
with the French termination ois, the word becomes Irinakois." 
This is much better, if not quite satisfactory, but quois is still 
the terminal of many tribal names. It may have come from ahkt, 
a place. Iroquet, a chief whose people were called after him, 
was also an Algonquin. The latest Algonquin dictionaries of 
the eastern nations do not contain Mr Hewitt's words. The 
nearest approach to ako is achgook. 

Generally the site of the formative council has been placed on 
the northeastern shore of Onondaga lake, a very suitable spot, 
but some later Onondagas have assigned it to the center of Syra- 
cuse, equally unsuitable in early days. Some wampum belts 
have been made coeval with the league, a date much too early. 
Hiawatha's white canoe is prominent in the story, bringing him 
to his first labors and bearing him aloft when all was done. The 
latter suggests Christian teaching but was not foreign to abo- 
riginal thought. Historically, as he left the lake for the Mohawk 
country, his white birch canoe may have been a strong contrast 
to the dark elm bark canoes of the rest. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 167 

One or two things more may be added about the league. At 
first it seems a loose alliance, holding periodical councils to pre- 
vent internal hostilities, but gradually becoming stronger and 
with more definite laws. In 1655 the Mohawks and Senecas were 
almost at war, and the former took defensive measures. Each 
nation made war or peace for itself, but, while this continued 
through all their history, they were most of the time a united 
people. Aggressive wars were popular, and all might heartily 
engage in these. When they were invaded, each nation took care 
of itself, sometimes proposing aid but giving none. 

One feature should not be overlooked, the rank and great influ- 
ence of women, of which many examples could be given. Some 
New York treaties bear their names. The children followed the 
mother's clan and nation, and the chief women had the power of 
naming principal chiefs for their clan or family. Speeches are 
made in the council for them but not by them, and Red Jacket 
was long their speaker. Peace or war, matters of general wel- 
fare, have often rested on their decision. Tilling the soil, they 
sometimes claimed its ownership. The most curious testimony 
to the estimation of women is the old Huron and Iroquois rule, 
that for a woman's life the atonement should be double that of 
a man. 

Chapter 5 

Weakness of early Iroquois. Good Iroquois or Hurons. First battle with 
Champlain. Preparations for this and location. Battle of 1610. Invasion 
of Iroquois in 1615. Route of Champlain. Siege of Oneida fort. Brule's 
adventures. Coming of the Dutch and their maps. Supposed treaty at 
Tawasentha. Insufficient evidence. Efforts for peace between Algon- 
quins and Iroquois. Dutch attack Mohawks. Fort Orange built. Re- 
newed war between Iroquois and Canadian Indians. Mahicans sell 
their lands. 

With all their bravery and wisdom, the Iroquois seem to have 
been barely holding their own when first known as residents in 
New York. Champlain came to Tadoussac in 1603, before he 
had seen them, and found the Indians, " rejoicing for the victory 
obtained by them over the Irocois, of whom they had killed some 
hundred, whose heads (scalps) they had cut off, which they had 



l68 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

with them for their ceremony." A thousand Etchemins, Algou- 
mequins and Montagnez had defeated ioo Iroquois at the mouth 
of the river called from them, and flowing from Lake Cham- 
plain. They had to do this by surprise, for the Iroquois were 
more numerous than all three nations, controlling all the St 
Lawrence above Three Rivers. He got an account of the 
Mohawk country at this time, two rivers leading to it. The same 
year the Iroquois were again beaten in a small fight, though the 
odds were in their favor. While on the New England coast in 
1605, Champlain saw a river which he thought went " toward 
the Hiroquois, a nation who have open war with the Montagnars, 
who are in the great river St Lawrence." They were not men- 
tioned again till 1609. 

It does not appear that Hudson encountered any Iroquois in 
his voyage of that year. Assertions of this have no sound basis, 
the Mohawks living many miles from the river and their ene- 
mies everywhere holding its banks. Champlain had a different 
fortune while exploring the land. In doing this, he met with the 
Hurons, whom he at first called Ochateguins from one of their 
chiefs, but learned that these were " good Yroquois. The other 
Yroquois, their enemies, are more to the south." These he soon 
sought. 

He left the Chambly rapids on the River of the Iroquois, July 
2, 1609, with 20 canoes and 60 Indians, called Montagnars from 
the mountains near Quebec. Two Frenchmen were with him. 
In Lake Champlain he came to four large islands, inhabited 
before the war. The eastern shore had then belonged to the 
Iroquois, but they now lived farther south, beyond Lake George, 
and the route was clearly described to him. July 29 they encoun- 
tered 200 Iroquois, but the brief battle took place next day. It 
differed much from our ideas of Indian warfare. Some days 
before the chiefs of his party assigned each man his place and 
part by carefully arranging as many sticks, and there was a drill 
on this. The Iroquois had stone axes and some of iron, obtained 
in war or trade. Amicable arrangements were made for the 
morrow's combat by the opposing chiefs. Next day the Mo- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 169 

hawks advanced in good order, led by three chiefs, distinguished 
by their larger plumes. On landing, the Montagnars ran toward 
the enemy, but opened their ranks to let Champlain take the lead. 
The Mohawks halted at this new sight, and his first shot killed 
two chiefs and wounded a third, though clad in arrow-proof 
armor. This decided the contest, but many others were killed 
and some taken prisoners. 

This meeting has been assigned to both Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point. For the former it may be said that they returned 
three hours after the fight, and yet Champlain saw Ticonderoga 
falls. For the latter, that the Iroquois came down the lake to 
the large point where they stopped, whence we might at first, 
but not conclusively, infer they were north of the portage. He 
added, " The place where this battle was fought is in 43 degrees 
some minutes latitude, and I named it Lake Champlain." Crown 
Point is very near the 44th parallel. In this case it is probable 
the Mohawks embarked at the head of Lake Champlain. 

In 1610 he had another encounter with the Iroquois. Some 
Algoumequins and Montagnais had attacked a temporary fort 
in which 100 of their enemies had taken refuge, and were repulsed 
with the loss of some of their best men. Even the French were 
not at first successful, terrible as firearms were then to the Iro- 
quois. Reinforcements came ; Champlain had a tree felled across 
the barricade, and the place was carried by assault, few of the 
defenders escaping. 

For some time there were but brief references to the Iroquois, 
and then Champlain took part in what was intended for a crush- 
ing, but was an unsuccessful blow. In 1615 he visited the 
Hurons, sometimes called the good Iroquois from their friend- 
ship for the Algonquins and the French, the latter known to them 
as the Agnonha or iron men. He commenced his journey July 9, 
with Etienne Brule, the interpreter, a French servant and some 
Indians, ascending the Ottawa, part of which he had already 
traversed. Reaching the Georgian bay, he followed its shores 
to the Huron towns toward Lake Simcoe. The Recollect Father, 
Le Caron already had a mission there, and eight of his French- 



17° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

men joined Champlain, Brule was sent with some Hurons to 
notify a tribe of the Andastes, living on the Chemung river 
where it crosses the New York line, who wished to join in the 
attack with 500 men. To do this, he had to take a long and cir- 
cuitous route, and did not arrive in time. 

The Hurons, with Champlain and his nine men, crossed the 
country to the River Trent, where they found fields abandoned 
because of the war. Near the eastern end of Lake Ontario they 
crossed by one of two possible routes. The place where they 
left the lake is affected by this, but will not be discussed now. 
That the route crossed the outlet of Oneida lake is certain, and 
repeated examinations strengthen the claim that it then turned 
southeast, terminating at Nichols' pond in the town of Fenner. 
This is in the Oneida territory, and the local and archeologic 
features are satisfactory. On the site is a boulder 15 feet long, 
which may Have been the Oneida stone of that day, giving it the 
name of the village of the stone, or rather continuing it from the 
town last occupied. 

The stockade was made of four rows of palisades, crossing at 
the top and affording broad though rude battlements, reached 
by simple ladders. It extended some distance into the very shal- 
low pond, thus securing a supply of water which could not be 
cut off and which readily extinguished every fire. The bark 
gutters for domestic use became a means of saving the town 
from the enemy. Here Champlain encamped Oct. 10, remaining 
till the 16th. The Iroquois still feared firearms, but less than 
at first, and, as they retreated; told the French " not to meddle in 
their fights. " Champlain made a movable tower, and 200 men 
placed it near the wall. The Arquebuses drove the Iroquois 
from the gallery, but the untrained Indians took no advantage 
of this, and all efforts to burn the town failed. Champlain was 
wounded and the Hurons discouraged. Nothing was accom- 
plished, but they agreed to wait four days for their allies. Some 
skirmishes followed, the French saving the Hurons in each. The 
500 men not coming at the time agreed, they made litters for the 
wounded and decamped. Champlain was carried on one of these 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 171 

for several days in great discomfort, buf the boats were reached 
in safety. 

Two days later Brule and his Indians came and did nothing. 
The Iroquois were encouraged, having beaten the white men ; the 
Oneidas were not destroyed, nor the confederacy severed in 
twain. The forest fight had far-reaching consequences, though 
it may be doubted whether the Iroquois had a lasting resentment 
against the French because of this. Champlain went back to 
the Huron country, where he spent the winter. The next spring 
he could get no guides, as the Hurons wished to retain him for 
another expedition, but at last he got away. Brule spent the 
winter at Carantouan or Big Tree, and explored the Susque- 
hanna to the sea. He did not return to the French till 1618, and 
then had a curious tale to tell. Trying to cross the country of 
the Iroquois, he fell into their hands, and escaped death by his 
boldness, tact and good luck. He visited Lake Superior and the 
copper mines during this period, and at a later day was killed in 
a Huron town. 

Meanwhile the Dutch were trading on the Hudson, as far as 
the head of navigation, and two maps have been published 
assigned to 1614 and 1616, containing a good deal relating to 
the interior west of that river. One of these is partly repro- 
duced, and is on a smaller scale than the older one. The latter 
has the Maquaas on the north side of the Mohawk river, and on 
the south side the Canoomakers, probably an Indian and not 
European word. South of a large lake are the Senecas, and on 
what may be the Chemung at Carantouan are the Gachoos. The 
Capitanasses and Minquaas are farther down the Susquehanna, 
the latter people extending far eastward. Between these, but 
farther west, are the Iottecas. This is the map of 1614, and the 
maker of it said : 

Of what Kleynties and his Comrade have Communicated to me 
respecting the locality of the Rivers, and the position of the 
Tribes which they found in their Expedition from the Maquaas 
into the interior and along the New River downwards to the 
Ogehage, (that is to say, the Enemies of the aforesaid northern 
tribes,) I can not at present find any thing at hand, except two 



172 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

rough drafts of Maps relating thereto, partly drawn with accur- 
acy. And in deliberately considering how I can best reconcile 
this one with the rough drafts Communicated, I find that the 
places of the tribes of the Sennecas, Gachoos, Capitanasses, and 
Jottecas, ought to be marked down considerably further west 
into the Country. 

The map of 1616 is on a smaller scale and embraces part of 
Canada. While retaining the main features of the other, the 
lettering is by a different hand and there are slight changes in 
the spelling. Lake Champlain is far to the east and is labeled 
" Hcf Meer Vand Irocoisen." Its eastern shore is called Irocoisia, 
a sufficient refutation of the story of Charlevoix. East of this is 
the country of the Almouchicoisen in New England, showing 
again an early use of this terminal by the Algonquins. The note 
on French sloops and the Mohawks is on this map. 

A petition, to which this chart was annexed, was read to the 
officials of the States General Aug. 18, 1616, asking that they 
would " be pleased to hear the aforesaid Cornells Hendrickxzen's 
Report, and to examine the aforesaid Map and Discovery." The 
discovery was of a bay and three rivers southwest of the mouth 
of the Hudson. One item is of interest : " He also traded for, 
and bought from the inhabitants, the Minquaees, three persons, 
being people belonging to this Company; which three persons 
were employed in the service of the Mohawks and Machicans ; 
giving for them kettles, beads and merchandize." 

Champlain said the people of Carantouan took these three men 
in war in 1614. They could safely trade on the Hudson with the 
Mahicans, but, to trade with the Mohawks, an inland journey 
must be made. On one of these trading trips they were made 
prisoners. Champlain said their captors returned them without 
harm, thinking they were French. " Otherwise these three pris- 
oners would not have been suffered to get off so cheaply." 
Through the Hurons the Susquehanna Indians had a good 
opinion of the French. All were foes of the Iroquois. 

Connected with this early trade is the story of a Dutch and 
Iroquois treaty at Tawasentha, or Normans kill, below Albany, 
credited by many on very small proof. This was in the Mahican 



H-ISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 173 

territory, two days' journey from the Mohawk frontier. Between 
these there was almost constant warfare. When Van Curler 
visited the Mohawks in 1642, there was no formal treaty with 
them, and the first one was made in 1645. This was often 
referred to in later days. As the fort was an early trading post, 
there may have been a council with the Mahicans, the owners 
of the land. 

In connection with French and English claims this story had 
importance, and evidence was framed to fit the case. Of this 
kind was that of Catelyn Trico, a Frenchwoman who testified in 
1688 to this effect, that she went to Albany, then called Fort 
Orange, in 1623, and stayed there three years, living in New York 
and on Long Island always afterward. That she was 83 years 
old, and that during her stay at Albany " ye Mahikanders or 
River Indians ; ye Maquase : Oneydes : Onnondagages, Cay- 
ouges. & Sinnekes, w th ye Mahawawa or Ottawawaes Indians 
came & made Covenants of friendship w th ye s d Arien Jorise there 
Commander," with other remarkable incidents distinctly remem- 
bered 62 years later. At that time there was no way for the 
Ottawas to reach Albany; and, when they came in the 18th cen- 
tury, they said they had never been there before. Most of the 
Five Nations were not recognized by the Dutch by these names 
till 1662, nor were they in common use till the second English 
occupation, but the venerable Mrs Trico remembered just what 
Governor Dongan wished. 

Pyrlaeus made a note more to the point regarding the place, 
when he wrote in 1743 : 

According to my informant, Sganarady, a creditable aged 
Indian, his grandfather had been one of the deputies sent for the 
purpose of entering into a covenant with the whole Europeans ; 
they met at a place called Nordman's Kill, about four miles below 
where Albany was built, where the covenant of friendship was 
first established, and the Mohawks were the active body in 
effecting this work. 

If this Indian were then 70 years old and his father 30 at his 
birth — certainly a fair allowance — his grandfather might have 



•174 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

attended the first historic council with the Mohawks in 1645, an d 
have been then 40 years old. It seems needless to take 30 years 
from this date and make the grandsire a boy. 

The Algonquins and Iroquois had been at war over 50 years 
when they began to talk of peace in 1622. June 2 two Iroquois 
came to Three Rivers to confer about this and were well received, 
after which they returned home with four deputies and many 
presents. Six weeks later the deputies came back, having been 
heartily welcomed by the Mohawks. Unfortunately a trouble- 
some fellow, who went with them, treacherously killed an Iro- 
quois on the way, and it was feared the war would be renewed. 
The Iroquois were considerate, thinking it a piece of personal 
malice, sent six more deputies and concluded peace in the spring 
of 1624. 

Le Clercq said that early in 1622, 30 Iroquois canoes passed 
Three Rivers and attacked the Recollect convent near Quebec, 
but he often erred, though positive in this statement. Neither 
Champlain nor Sagard mentions it, nor does it harmonize with 
other events. 

Meanwhile the Dutch were busy. In the spring of 1623 a 
" ship sailed up to the Maykans," — not to the Mohawks. The 
distance was estimated at about 132 English miles, and the 
colony built Fort Orange on Castle island. " Right opposite is 
the fort of the Maykans, which they built against their enemies, 
the Maquaees, a powerful people." These were then at war, and 
in 1626 the former asked help of the Dutch, who were willing. 
Commander Krieckebeck and six others marched with them 
toward the Mohawk country. A league from the fort they met 
the Mohawks, armed with bows and arrows, and were defeated, 
the Dutch commander and three of his men being killed. The 
Mohawks cooked and ate one and burned the rest, reserving an 
arm and leg as trophies for those at home. Peter Barentsen, 
their favorite trader, visited them a few days later, for they could 
not come to the river to trade. They said " they had never 
injured the whites, and asked the reason why the latter had med- 
dled with them. Had it been otherwise, they would not have 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 175 

acted as they had." It is evident there was then no treaty of 
friendship. 

De Laet makes the statement that a fort was built at Albany 
in 1614 and constantly occupied till 1617. Also that Henry 
Christians first commanded, and in his absence James Elkens, 
who received authority from the States General in 1614. This 
seems well attested. Elkens traded near Fort Orange in 1633, 
and testified that he had lived four years with the Indians. He 
was then 42 years old, which would have made him 23 in 1614. 
Another witness said that, if they could have stayed there another 
month, the Mohawks would have brought them 4000 beaver skins, 
and the Mahicans 300 more. Only through such trade could 
they get wampum and other supplies. 

The report of the fight between the Mohawks and Dutch 
reached Canada in a few days, and some Canadian visitors, the 
next winter, were solicited by the Mahicans to break the peace 
already made and take sides with them. Some favored and some 
opposed this, but the war feeling was so strong that some Iro- 
quois deputies were badly treated. Another violent act occurred. 
In. 1627 a Frenchman went on a peace embassy to the Mohawks, 
with some Canadian Indians. Some Senecas came who had 
recently suffered from the Algonquins, and in their rage they at 
once killed all the ambassadors before the Mohawks could pre- 
vent it. The Algonquins retaliated by torturing an Iroquois 
hostage, and war followed. It is probable these Senecas were of 
nations east of those to whom the name was afterward restricted. 

The temporary subjection of Canada to the English came in 
1629, but in the privations which preceded this Champlain seri- 
ously thought of seizing one of the Iroquois towns, with 50 or 60 
Frenchmen, " passing there the rest of the summer, autumn and 
winter, rather than to die of hunger one after another in the 
plantation." 

Soon after most of the Mahicans left the Hudson because of 
the war, but still retained their territorial rights, as was then the 
custom. It was a favorable time to buy Indian lands, and Kiliaen 
Van Rensselaer embraced the opportunity in 1630, acquiring most 



176 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

of the Mahican lands near Rensselaerwyck and west of the river 
to the Mohawk border, and on the east side to the same extent. 
No Mohawk names are on his deeds. Some land was added on 
the east in 1637, and his tract was 24 miles long and 48 wide. 
With no Mahicans now intervening, the Dutch had closer rela- 
tions with the Mohawks. A few Mahicans lingered in their old 
homes and those who had removed were sometimes hostile, but 
at a later day many returned to New York and the old foes 
became allies and friends. 

Chapter 6 

French visit Hurons and Neutrals. Daillon in New York. Increase of 
Iroquois trade and strength. War with Canadian Indians. Van Curler's 
journey to Oneida. Each of the Five Nations first mentioned by name. 
Fear of Mohawks in New England. Canoe fight. Huron war continues. 
A Neutral tribe joins the Hurons. Eries described. Iroquois retaliate 
on French. Montreal founded. Onontio. French forts built. Jogues 
taken. Mohawk sacrifice. 

Meanwhile the French power was developing in Canada, 
opposed to the Dutch in religion, nationality and trade, and this 
soon greatly affected the Iroquois nations. Of their kindred 
north of Lake Erie brief mention has already been made. All 
were populous and powerful, but less warlike than others. Their 
towns were well defended, but not so well as those of the Iro- 
quois. During war they abandoned many of their frontier towns, 
and thus the Petuns and Hurons, once having towns farther 
east, were now thickly grouped between Lake Simcoe and the 
Georgian bay. The researches of Mr A. F. Hunter and others 
in locating and describing the ossuaries and town sites of these 
nations, have greatly enlarged our knowledge of their strength 
and age, and have shown the way in which they drew back into 
their historic abodes. The Neutrals seemed to have little to 
dread, and yet at last withdrew their outlying villages in New 
York, confining themselves to their territory between Niagara 
and Detroit. 

These populous nations quickly attracted the attention of both 
missionaries and traders. Father Joseph le Caron went to the 
Hurons in 1615, with 12 French traders. Champlain found him 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 1 77 

there, and he remained during his Iroquois expedition. The fol- 
lowing winter he visited the Petuns, or Tionontaties. He was a 
Recollect and returned to Quebec with Champlain in 1616. 
Father William Poulain, another Recollect, was a prisoner to 
the Iroquois for a short time in 1621, but was exchanged. He 
took the opportunity of teaching some Iroquois prisoners, taken 
by his friends, hoping some day to visit them, and made a brief 
visit to the Hurons in 1622. In 1623 Father Nicholas Viel and 
Le Caron, with Brother Gabriel Sagard, were there for a few 
months, Viel remaining for nearly two years. De la Roche 
Daillon, another Recollect, was there in 1626, going thence to the 
Neutral nation, of whom he gave many particulars. He was 
the companion of Father Jean de Brebeuf and of Father Anne 
de Nouvee, the Jesuits, when they went to the Hurons that year. 
In 1628 Brebeuf was there alone, and was ordered to Quebec in 
1629. The English occupation hindered missionary work, but 
linguistic studies were maintained. Brebeuf, Daniel and Davost 
went to the Hurons in 1634. After this we have those graphic 
and thrilling relations of missionary experience among savages, 
which have stirred the hearts of men ever since and have yielded 
such treasures to the student of aboriginal life. Without fol- 
lowing this work in detail among a people lying outside our 
borders, it seems proper to give this brief introduction to what 
at last became an important factor in New York history. 

Daillon went to the Neutrals in October 1626, and may have 
visited New York. He was at a village called Ounontisaston, 
when " ten men of the last village, called Ouaroronon, one day's 
journey from the Iroquois, their relatives and friends," called 
and invited him there. They went off, but returned and plun- 
dered him. This seems to refer to the Ouenrohronon, A Separate 
People, rather than town, who afterward fled to the Hurons. 

With the expulsion of the Mahicans and the sale of their lands 
the Iroquois trade had a new impetus. The Dutch had learned 
to make wampum by improved methods, having used it from the 
first, and the Iroquois bought large quantities. They sold guns 
at a great profit, for the Mohawks were greedy of these and 



178 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

soon became excellent marksmen. This became the real foun- 
dation of their great power, though they were good warriors 
before. 

A Dutch document of 1646 says of this new feature that " they 
have now achieved many profitable forays where before they had 
but little advantage; this caused them also to be respected by 
the surrounding Indians even as far as the Sea coast, who must 
generally pay them tribute, whereas, on the contrary, they were 
formerly obliged to contribute to these." 

The war with the Canadian Indians still continued. When 
some missionaries were making their first ascent of the St Law- 
rence in 1632, they found as low down as Tadoussac a party 
which had returned with nine Iroquois prisoners, and their tor- 
tures were graphically described. One strong and courageous 
chief sang during his tortures at Quebec. " When they came to 
tell him he must die, he said, as if very glad, ' Well, I am satis- 
fied. I have taken many Montagnards ; my friends will take 
more of them, and will well avenge my death.' " 

Though the French had killed many Iroquois, they first retal- 
iated in 1633, when they killed two Frenchmen and wounded 
four more. In the same year 30 or 40 Iroquois boarded a French 
shallop, but withdrew when aid came. 

The next year the Senecas defeated the Hurons in the spring, 
and the latter promptly made peace with them and hoped to do 
so with the other four nations. Negotiations were in progress 
the following year, but an account in 1636 shows the independent 
character of the several nations. A young Seneca did not favor 
this peace, and married among the Onondagas that he might have 
liberty to continue in the field. He was taken prisoner with seven 
others, while fishing in Lake Ontario, and the story of his death 
is of the most tragic character, bringing out some curious fea- 
tures of aboriginal life. After his first torture he was treated 
most tenderly, w r as handsomely dressed and presided at his own 
farewell feast, before the final and terrible scene. The Iroquois 
sometimes treated their own captives much like this, but usually 
subjected them to every indignity from the outset. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 179 

It was in December 1634 that Arent Van Curler made a trip 
from Fort Orange to Oneida, passing through all the Mohawk 
towns, then on the south side of the river. There were four 
castles and some villages, the first of which he reached on the 
morning of the third day. These were Onekagoncka, Canowa- 
rode, Senatsycrosy, Netdashet, Canagere, Sohanidisse, Osguage, 
Cawaoge, and Tenotoge. His itinerary is of interest, and it is 
the earliest we have of that part of New York. He left the 
Mohawk at the last castle, taking the usual direct trail over the 
hills to Oneida, then on the upper waters of Oneida creek. It 
will be remembered that most trails are not very old, changing 
as the towns changed place. At Oneida he considered himself 
in the Seneca country, but met a deputation of Onondagas there, 
being the first mention of these two nations by name. In an 
Oneida speech or song which he recorded, the names of all the 
upper Iroquois may be seen. He returned the same way in 
January 1635. 

In the Relation of 1635 the sedentary nations are named, and 
it is added, " The Hurons are the friends of all these peoples, 
except the Sonontoerrhonons, Onontaerrhonons, Oiiioenrhonons, 
Onoiochrhonons, and Agnierrhonons, all of whom we compre- 
hend under the name of Iroquois." The third of these were the 
Cayugas, whose early name is elsewhere properly Oniouenh- 
ronons. In a list of 1639 tne Konkhandeenhronon erroneously 
come between the Onondagas and Cayugas. This list of sed- 
entary nations is larger than the first and some are of another 
family. 

In 1635 the Hurons kept some Iroquois prisoners to treat for 
peace, but there came a report that the Little Nation of the Algon- 
quins had been defeated by the Iroquois, who took some pris- 
oners. This destroyed plans for peace. The next year the 
Little Nation burned some Iroquois prisoners, and asked the 
Hurons to join them in the war. An Algonquin war party also 
returned to Tadoussac, Aug. 10, with 28 prisoners and scalps, 
including men, women and children, and efforts for peace were 
fruitless. 



l8o NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

At this time Brebeuf estimated the Huron s at 20 villages and 
30,000 people. His means of judging- were good. Champlain 
reported 18 villages and 10,000 adults, about the same population, 
though they had suffered greatly by war. 

Meanwhile the Iroquois were making their power felt, buying 
guns and becoming excellent marksmen. A little later the Mo- 
hawks had 400 men carrying guns, which few of their enemies 
could procure. The cry that Mohawks were near always created 
a panic among New England Indians, and they were equally 
dreaded by others. Colden said, much later : 

I have been told by Old Men in New England, who remem- 
bred the Time when the Mohawks made War on their Indians, 
that as soon as a single Mohawk was discovered in the Country, 
their Indians raised a Cry from Hill to Hill, A Mohawk ! A 
Mohawk ! upon which they all fled like Sheep before Wolves 
without attempting to make the least Resistance, whatever the 
Odds were on their Side. 

W T hen the Pequot chief Sassacus fled in 1637, he sought refuge 
in their country, but was surprised and slain by one of their bands. 
One of the charges against Miantonimo, in 1643, was that he had 
hired the Mohawks to fight against the New England colonists, 
and that they were within a day's journey, awaiting his people. 
This was unfounded. They often fought against the Indians of 
New England, but seldom molested the colonists. They also made 
inroads on the wampum-makers, as some Indians of the sea- 
shore were often called, and these became tributary. It should 
be remembered that all this was after the coming of the whites. 
Their great power was within historic times. 

The Iroquois canoes were of elm bark, and of clumsier con- 
struction than the Canadian birch canoes, being easily known at 
a distance. When abandoned they were sometimes useful to 
others, and thus a young Indian gave the French a great alarm 
in 1637. It is noticeable how generally successful the Canadian 
Indians were in canoe fights, perhaps a result of better boats and 
greater nautical skill. In this year, in such a contest between 
the Iroquois and the nation of Iroquet, 13 of the former were cap- 
tured. On the other hand 500 Iroquois held Lake St Peter and 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS l8l 

captured 30 Hurons. A band of 150 Iroquois was also near the 
French settlements, making their presence known. " This they 
knew from the little sticks attached to a tree, to show who they 
were and how many." 

The older Hurons now wished peace, but some young warriors 
began war against the Senecas. It meant ruin, but it was resolved 
to support them. It was then that the Ouenrohronons, a border 
tribe of the Neutrals, sought refuge with the Hurons and were 
hospitably received. They seem to have lived in New York and 
suffered much in their removal, the French estimating their jour- 
ney at 240 miles. 

In 1639, a party led by Oronkouaia, an Oneida chief, was 
defeated by the Hurons, who killed nearly a score. The leader 
was tortured fearfully, and his hand was thrown into the house 
of the Jesuits, with insolent words, they having baptized him. 
This war involved the Algonquins, who feared the presence of 
the Iroquois everywhere and ' gave the French a thousand 
alarms. 

In 1640 Brebeuf and Chaumonot visited the Neutral country 
but not New York, their outposts being mostly withdrawn. 
Their strength was then estimated at 12,000 people in 40 villages. 
Parkman thought that " they, and not the Eries, were the Kah- 
kwahs of Seneca tradition." The Hurons would allow neither 
these nor the Petuns to pass their country to trade with the 
French, and the Neutrals were too poor boatmen to brave the 
waves of Lake Ontario. 

Mr O. H. Marshall also thought the Kahkwahs and Neutrals 
the same. On Coronelli's map of 1688 a village was placed near 
the site of Buffalo called Kakouagoga, A Nation destroyed, and 
Eighteen Mile creek is called by the Senecas Gah-gwah-geh, 
Residence of the Kahkwahs. This was probably the southern 
boundary of the Neutrals, and Gallatin gives kahquahgoh as the 
Seneca word for south, so that the name might refer to the 
nation, or position, or both. The Senecas told Schoolcraft that 
they destroyed the Kahkwahs at this creek in 1755, and he 
thought 100 years should be deducted from this. He also gave 



l82 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Governor Blacksnake's well known story. The Kahkwahs chal- 
lenged the Senecas to athletic contests, and were beaten with 
sanguinary results. Mortified and angry, they went home and 
were soon on the warpath. Learning their purpose, the Senecas 
went forth to meet them, and after a long and hard battle were 
victorious. 

David Cusick gave the common Iroquois belief when he said : 
"About this time the Kanneastokaroneah or Erians sprung from 
the Senecas, and became numerous and powerful nation, occupy- 
ing the country lying between the Genesee and Niagara rivers." 

This name is quite different from Kahkwah; but, while Erie 
means a cat, kahkwah is an eye swelled like a cat's. Another 
identification has been suggested by the traditional overthrow of 
the Squawkie Indians. David Cusick also gave the primitive 
name of Lake Erie as Kau-ha-gwa-rah-ka, correctly interpreted 
as a cap, and this by contraction resembles the word in question. 
However this may be, it seems reasonable to make Eighteen 
Mile creek the boundary between the Eries and Neutrals. In the 
Relation of 1641 we are told that of the Neutral towns " there are 
three or four on the eastern side [of Niagara river], extending 
from east to west toward the Eries or Cat Nation." These may 
have remained awhile longer. 

In 1640 the Iroquois were enraged by a French collision, and 
proclaimed that the Hurons and French should be treated alike. 
The Mohawks captured two Frenchmen and took them home in 
triumph, as living evidences that they could cope with the 
whites. Some of the upper Iroquois delivered them that they 
might become messengers of peace, and came to Three Rivers 
with the captives, June 15, 1641, with 20 well armed canoes. 
They wished peace with the French, but plundered four Algon- 
quin canoes in their sight, having determined to exterminate the 
Algonquins and Montagnais. They also proposed a French 
settlement in the Mohawk country, but negotiations failed, and 
they at once became hostile, so sudden were their changes. One 
party destroyed five Huron canoes a little farther west, killing 
or capturing those on board. So great was their rage, so per- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 183 

severing their hostility, that they sought out and destroyed an 
Algonquin camp in a remote northern wilderness, in the depth 
of winter, treating their prisoners with horrible cruelty. A Huron 
village was also destroyed that year. 

The site of Montreal was selected in 1641, near the spot 
where Hochelaga had stood a century before. The Relation of 
1646 says : " This island is in some fashion the frontier of the 
Annierronnons Iroquois." Governor Montmagny and Sieur Mai- 
son-neuve went there May 17, 1642, to take possession of the 
island and commence the first buildings with solemn religious 
services and a feast. Two Indians present stood on the moun- 
tain top, as before mentioned, where their ancestors had lived. 
The grandsire of one had cultivated the land on which they stood. 
They said : " The Hurons, who were then our neighbors, chased 
our ancestors from this country; some retired toward the land 
of the Abnaquiois, the others to the land of the Iroquois, and one 
part turned to the Hurons themselves, united with them, and 
behold the island was rendered almost a desert." This has been 
variously explained. Mr Shea proposed interchanging Hurons 
and Iroquois, making the latter the aggressors, but this is no real 
improvement. It is rather probable that, after the withdrawal 
of the Iroquois to New York, the Hurons did attack the Algon- 
quins who had dwelt by them, and who remained behind. Tra- 
ditionally the Hurons did receive a new nation about that time, 
and the Iroquois always welcomed accessions to their numbers. 
Among these Algonquins who went to their land, may have been 
many old friends. 

It was in 1641 that Governor Montmagny was called from his 
name, Onontio, or Great Mountain, afterward the title of Can- 
adian governors. In 1642 he commenced forts on the Sorel, or 
River of the Iroquois, to check their war parties, which seemed 
everywhere and were well supplied with guns by the Dutch. 
Charlevoix said that Montmagny complained of this to the Dutch 
governor, who replied in a courteous but vague way. In this 
year Father Isaac Jogues was taken by the Mohawks, with two 
French companions, while on the St Lawrence with a party of 



184 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Hurons, traveling in 12 canoes. The French might have escaped, 
but Jogues would not leave his Huron friends, nor would his 
French comrades desert him. In hastening to his aid William 
Couture killed a great Indian chief. They were carried 
to the Mohawk towns, suffering greatly there and on the 
way. 

The same year 11 Huron canoes were coming down to Three 
Rivers with furs, when they were attacked by the Iroquois on 
the Ottawa river, 150 miles above Montreal. While building 
their new fort on the River of the Iroquois, the French were sud- 
denly assailed by 300 of that people, and were in great danger of 
being cut to pieces. Recovering from their surprise, they 
repulsed the attack, but the enemy retreated in good order. 

While the Mohawks held the St Lawrence and waylaid parties 
on the Ottawa, other bands were active in the Huron country 
all the time, but with some reverses. The bold Huron chief, 
Ahatsisteari, not only overcame a party larger than his own, but 
afterward attacked and destroyed a fleet of great Iroquois canoes 
by his own skill and daring. Some he overturned, killing or 
capturing their crews in the water. 

That year Van Curler again visited some of the Mohawk towns, 
where he saw Jogues and his two companions. His account of 
their fears differs from that of the Relations. He wrote also as 
though there were then no treaty between the Iroquois and 
Dutch, though good friends. He said, " I brought presents 
there and asked that we should live as good neighbors, and that 
they should do no harm to either the colonists or their 
cattle." 

Rene Goupil was killed soon after among the Mohawks and 
the other captives suffered much. Jogues escaped in 1643 by 
the aid of the Dutch, and went to Europe for a while. That 
spring the Mohawks went to collect tribute toward the seashore 
and took him along to show him to some of these people. This 
may help to explain a statement in early Dutch writers, regarding 
a visit to New Amsterdam or vicinity that year, of 80 Mahicans 
from near Fort Orange, armed with s:uns, who came to levy 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 185 

tribute on the Indians along the lower Hudson. The Mahicans 
had left Albany before this and all the circumstances show a 
mistake in the name. The Indians left their homes for fear of 
these Mohawks, for such they clearly were, sought refuge with 
the Dutch and were massacred by them. The Mohawks were 
not responsible for this. Ruttenber thought these visitors 
were Mahicans, all agreeing in the name, but the Dutch 
did not see them, and the mere name was liable to be mis- 
taken. 

.One account by Jogues is of the Mohawk sacrifice to 
Aireskoi, where a woman was burned, or rather roasted and 
eaten. In his amiable desire to exalt the Iroquois character, 
Mr Hale said that " the Iroquois never burnt women at the 
stake," but sex made no difference in this, as many incidents 
show. 

Several early writers describe this particular Mohawk offering, 
almost in the words of Jogues, but without reference to him. 
Mourning their remissness in not eating some captives in honor 
of Aireskoi, they had substituted bears at their feast, promising 
to do better in the future, and women were their next prisoners. 
One was selected as a victim : 

When this woman was tortured, at every burn, which they 
caused by applying lighted torches to her body, an old man, in 
a loud voice, exclaimed, " Demon Aireskoi ! we offer thee this 
victim, whom we burn for thee, that thou mayest be rilled with 
her flesh, and render us ever anew victorious over our enemies." 
Her body was cut up, sent to the various villages and de- 
voured. 

The Relation of 1643 divides the Iroquois into Senecas and 
Mohaw T ks, and says they were once inferior to the Hurons, but 
now surpassed them in numbers and strength, the Mohawks 
alone having 300 guns, well used by them. The Iroquois cap- 
tured 23 Hurons and 13 canoes that year near Montreal and 
attacked the French. Eight Algonquins were taken near Three 
Rivers and a war party was defeated with much loss. In this 
party was Pieskaret, a brave and high-minded Algonquin chief, 
of whom many stories are told. 



1 86 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Chapter 7 

Change in Iroquois warfare. Dread of their coming. Ten parties. Bres- 
sani captured. Iroquois tortures. Pieskaret's success. Prospects of 
peace. Kiotsaeton. Oneidas adopt Mohawks. Iroquois success. Dutch 
treaty of 1645. French and Mohawk treaty of 1646. Embassy and 
death of Jogues. Pieskaret killed. His exploits. French ask aid of 
Massachusetts. Capture of Annenraes by Hurons and his escape. Peace 
negotiations with Onondagas. Skandawati's death. Eries. Huron 
towns destroyed. Death of missionaries. Huron towns abandoned and 
one adopted by Senecas. Overthrow of Petuns and death of Gamier. 
Neutrals destroyed. Huron treachery. Iroquois extend their conquests. 

The Iroquois now changed the conduct of the war. Instead 
of sending a few large parties at certain periods, they kept small 
parties coming and going all the time, so that there was never any 
safety above Three Rivers. One of these bands brought a letter 
from Jogues, but it was fired on and they were much enraged at 
him. The St Lawrence and Ottawa were both closed by 10 
Iroquois bands in the spring of 1644, and one of these captured 
Father Bressani, who was afterward ransomed by the Dutch. 

The Hurons were faring badly. One of their frontier towns 
had been destroyed in the fall of 1642, and a party of 100, return- 
ing from Montreal, lost all their goods and 20 men in a fight 
on the way. On the other hand, the Hurons took three of their 
enemies in 1644, but the Algonquins abandoned both their homes 
and hunting grounds. The fear of the Iroquois was everywhere, 
so swift were their movements. They came like foxes, attacked 
like lions, and fled like birds. About this time Father Vimont 
said: " I would as soon be besieged by hobgoblins as by the Iro- 
quois. The one is scarcely more visible than the other. When 
they are afar off, one believes that they are at our doors ; when 
they throw themselves upon their prey, one imagines that they 
are in their own land." 

Two of the Iroquois parties mentioned went to the Sault Chau- 
diere, a place noted for Iroquois ambuscades and Huron defeats. 
At this spot the Indians used to collect offerings in a chaudiere, 
or kettle, casting it and its contents into the water to procure a 
safe journey. The third went to the foot of the Long Sault of 
the Ottawa, and the fourth lay in wait above Montreal. The 



i HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 187 

fifth band of 80 warriors lay hidden on the island of Montreal 
for three days, and this was attacked by the French. The latter 
were repulsed with the loss of five men, two of whom were tor- 
tured and burned. The sixth band of 40 men went toward the 
River of the Prairies, capturing a party of Algonquins, most of 
whom were burned in the Iroquois villages. The seventh took 
Father Bressani and some Hurons. In this band were some 
naturalized Hurons and Algonquins. The eighth met this one 
as it returned. The ninth party was on the River of the Iroquois, 
and the tenth went against the Hurons. Other small parties 
were out and the ground was well covered. 

Bressani's captors sailed two days homeward, when they met 
a party who maltreated the prisoners. They sailed two days 
more, traversed the woods for six days, embarked on Lake Cham- 
plain and followed it for eight days in a leisurely way. Four 
days later they came to a fishery on the Hudson, where 400 Iro- 
quois were encamped. They stopped there nearly a month, and 
there Bressani ran the gauntlet and was placed on the usual high 
scaffold, where he had to dance and was frequently burned. This 
scaffold torture may have been peculiar to the Iroquois, for on 
this platform they used a slow fire, torches, hot irons, and various 
means of torture, prolonging the pain as much as they could. 
He afterward suffered much in two Mohawk villages, but his life 
was spared and he was given to a woman whose grandfather the 
Hurons had killed. She thought him of little use, and sent him 
to the Dutch to see what they would give for him. The good 
Father did not tell how low was his price, but the Dutch gave 
more than had been expected and clothed him well. 

It has been mentioned that three Iroquois prisoners were taken 
in 1644. The Algonquins readily gave theirs to the French, but 
the Hurons determined to take their two home, promising not 
to burn them, as there were hopes of peace. That summer the 
Iroquois destroyed a party of 100 Algonquins. 

Pieskaret made one of his successful expeditions in 1645. With 
six Algonquins he killed 11 Iroquois, brought in two prisoners 
and returned in triumph. At the end of his speech he said : " I 



1 88 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

saw, I killed, I took captive, I brought home ; behold them pres- 
ent. I enter into your thoughts; they are good." Such a sen- 
tentious speech would have been famous in Greece or Rome. 
He gave the prisoners to the governor, and the Iroquois were 
surprised at being delivered from death. 

These were retained at Three Rivers, and Tokhrahenehiaron, 
who had been held as a prisoner through the winter, was sent to 
the Mohawks to see if they wished peace. July 5, 1645, three 
Mohawk chiefs came to Three Rivers with William Couture, 
who had been captured with Jogues and who now served as inter- 
preter. The principal chief was Kiotsaeton, who brought 17 
wampum belts. A peace council was held July 12, and this has 
been minutely described. Peace was agreed on, and the deputies 
went home. Other deputies were sent to Canada with 18 belts, 
and another council was held, Sep. 17 to 20. Peace was con- 
cluded, the Iroquois saying that the dead should not be now 
avenged, for " a living man is worth much more than many dead." 

In this lively account one speech in the first council may be 
noted. Kiotsaeton wished the French to eat with the Mohawks 
in their own land, telling of its many good things and adding, 
" Leave these stinking pigs which run around your habitations, 
which eat nothing but what is filthy, and come and eat of good 
victuals with us." 

In the second council there was a curious reference to the 
Oneidas, who were bitter enemies of the Hurons : 

A village named Ononjote', incensed to the last degree against 
the Hurons, because these people in a combat killed almost all 
the men of this village, which was constrained to send to ask 
the Iroquois, named Agnerronons, with "whom they had made 
peace, for some men to be married to the girls and women who 
had remained without husbands, in order that the nation should 
not perish. This is why the Iroquois name this village their child. 

A striking scene ended this important council : 

This discourse finished, the Iroquois set himself to sing and 
dance, he took a Frenchman on one side, an Algonquin and 
Huron on the other, and holding them embraced with his arms, 
they danced in cadence, and sang with a strong voice a song of 
peace. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 189 

The truce was kept by the Mohawks, who hunted freely with 
the Algonquins the following winter, to the astonishment of 
many. " Those who know the antipathies of these nations and 
their frightful inclinations for revenge, think that they see so 
many miracles when they see a friendly feeling between an 
Algonquin and an Iroquois." It did not affect the other four 
nations. Two bands of Hurons fell into their hands while going 
to trade with the French, and in 1645 they captured three other 
fleets. Early in the spring of that year an Iroquois party 
approached a Huron village and captured a troop of women 
going out to their morning work. So quickly were they placed 
in their canoes that 200 armed Hurons were unable to rescue 
them. 

Toward the end of that summer some Huron and Iroquois 
warriors met in the forest, the former at first having the advan- 
tage. A parley followed, and, when the fight was resumed, the 
Hurons were beaten. A notable incident happened at a large 
Huron town soon after. An attack was feared and the people 
were prepared, young men being placed in the sentry boxes on 
the wall. They sang war songs loudly most of the night, but at 
last fell asleep. Some Iroquois warriors had crept to the base 
of the wall, and, when all was still, one climbed to the tower, 
split the head of one sentinel and threw the other down, where 
his comrades scalped him, making off so quickly that nothing 
could be done. Then Hurons went to the largest Seneca town, 
pierced one of the great cabins, choosing, killing and scalping 
each his man, and escaping from hundreds in swift pursuit. 

There were other later encounters; but the Mohawks warned 
all that there was peace with them alone, and in presence of 
their ambassadors several Algonquin tribes made peace with the 
Dutch at New Amsterdam, Aug. 30, 1645. Van der Donck thus 
mentioned their first treaty with the Dutch that year ; 

In the year 1645, we were employed with the officers and rulers 
of the colony of Rensselaerwyck in negotiating a treaty of peace 
with the Maquas, who then were and still are the strongest and 
fiercest Indians of the country ; whereat the Director General 
William Kieft, on the one part, and the chiefs of the Indian 



I 9° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

nations of the neighboring country, on the other part, attended. 
To proceed with the treaty, the citizens of Rensselaerwyck pro- 
cured a certain Indian, named Agheroense, to attend and serve 
as interpreter, who was well known to the Christians, having 
been much among them. 

Kiotsaeton and six other Mohawk deputies came to Montreal, 
Feb. 22, 1646, and a council followed at Three Rivers May 7. 
Bourdon and Jogues went to the Mohawks with presents and 
an escort May 16. " They arrived on the eve of S. Sacrement 
at the end of a lake which is joined to the great lake of Cham- 
plain. The Indian name is Andiatarocte', which is to say, There 
where the lake is shut in. The Father named it the lake of 
S. Sacrement." Six leagues from this lake they crossed the Hud- 
son, there called Oiogue', At the River, and soon came to a fishing 
place named Ossarague', going thence to Fort Orange. The first 
Mohawk village was reached June 7, and was then called Oneu- 
gioure', formerly Osserion. Like most Indian towns it had other 
names. 

There Jogues met some Onondagas, whose towns he never 
reached. He made them a present, asking that the French might 
visit their land. The Mohawks remonstrated. They were the 
door of the confederacy and the council fire should be approached 
through them. He held to his point, that the French might go 
to Onondaga in any one of three ways, and gained no Mohawk 
favor by this. 

The French stayed but two days, but Jogues left a small trunk 
behind him, hoping to return. This caused new suspicions, as 
they feared it might hurt them. The Mohawks hastened their 
departure, as the other nations had parties out against the 
Hurons and they might be molested. 

Sep. 24, 1646, Father Jogues left Three Rivers to go to the 
Mohawks for the last time, as he himself thought. A young 
Frenchman accompanied him, but they were at once seized, 
stripped and threatened when they arrived at the Mohawk town, 
Oct. 17, being told they would be killed next day but not burned. 
The Wolf and Turtle clans tried to save them, but the Bears 
had decreed their death. On the evening of the 18th Jogues was 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS ICH 

called to supper, and, as he entered the lodge of the Bears, a man 
behind the door killed him with an ax. Thus died Ondessonk, 
whose virtues and sufferings have called forth the admiration of 
all. His head was cut off and placed on the wall, and his com- 
panion shared the same fate next morning, their bodies being 
cast into the river. A fine shrine, near Auriesville, now marks 
the supposed site of the death of the founder of the Mission of 
the Martyrs. Following this came a more determined war 
against the French. 

Simon Pieskaret was one of the first victims, being treacher- 
ously slain in the spring of 1647, before he knew that peace was 
at an end. He was the noblest and most renowned Algonquin 
warrior of that day. Colden called him an Adirondack, and told 
some stories of his deeds. He went with four others, in one 
canoe, against the Iroquois. Each man had three muskets, loaded 
with two bullets connected by a small chain. In Sorel river they 
met five Iroquois canoes, each with 10 men. The Adirondacks 
pretended despair till they were quite near, when they all fired 
repeatedly on the Iroquois canoes, sinking every one, knocking 
the swimming Iroquois on the head or taking them prisoners. 
This seems an exaggeration of his exploit of 1645. At another 
time he went to an Iroquois village, killing some one three nights 
following. When pursued, he kept just ahead of his foes, turning 
and scalping them all while asleep at night. 

While returning in 1646 from a foray 17 Oneidas encountered 
a canoe with 30 Huron warriors, and all disembarked. The 
sticks were placed as usual to mark each man's post and the war 
whoop was given. Both parties thought the other superior in 
force and both took flight, the sticks remaining when the war- 
riors were gone. An escaping prisoner told the Hurons of their 
mistake and some pursued the Oneidas, taking one prisoner. 

Fort Richelieu was burned this year, and there were many 
hostile acts in 1647. Some French shallops were attacked, and 
the Iroquois were everywhere, but the Mohawks again talked of 
peace. This hardly interrupted hostilities, and an encounter took 
place between the Hurons and Iroquois, near Three Rivers, in 



I9 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

which the latter were defeated with much loss. As a result, the 
French rejoiced to see 60 Huron canoes in the river, laden with 
furs, though the Iroquois were troublesome. About this time the 
French asked Massachusetts to aid them against the Mohawks. 
- Early in 1647 an Onondaga band, on the Huron frontier, was 
pursued with serious loss. One of the captives threw himself into 
a great kettle of boiling water to escape the tortures reserved for 
some. Annenraes, a noted chief, was spared, but toward spring 
he was again in danger and was aided to escape by the Huron 
chiefs. On the southern shore of Lake Ontario he found 300 
Onondagas making canoes, in which to cross to avenge his death. 
There were already 800 Cayugas and Senecas on the road to aid 
them. The Onondagas gave up their warlike plans and returned 
home, sending a peace embassy from their towns to the Hurons. 
The Senecas continued their march and destroyed a town of the 
Aondironnons, a Neutral village nearest of all to the Hurons. 
The Neutrals did not resent this act, for which the Senecas had 
some excuse. The independent character of each of the Five 
Nations appears again. The Onondagas treated of peace; the 
Mohawks and Senecas kept the field. 

In the spring of 1647 the Hurons sent deputies to the Andastes 
dwelling on the lower Susquehanna and Delaware, in response 
to an offer of aid made by them. They were in despair and asked 
these kinsmen to hear " the voice of their dying father land.'' 
They were several weeks on their way, arriving early in June 
with their pathetic tale : 

The speech that Charles Ondaaiondiont made at his arrival 
was not long. He told them that he came from the land of the 
Souls, where war and the terrors of the enemy had laid every- 
thing waste, where the fields were covered only with blood, 
where the cabins were filled only with corpses, and that there 
remained to them no life except what was needed to come to tell 
their friends that they might have pity on a land that was draw- 
ing to its end. 

The Onondaga proposals gave the Hurons some hope, but the 
deputies from that nation found a people divided in opinion. 
Several councils were held before they agreed to send ambassa- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 193 

dors, the first Hurons to go there in that way. These left home 
Aug. i, 1647, an d were in Onondaga 20 days later, where they 
were warmly received and feasted for a month. A second Onon- 
daga embassy returned with them, headed by Skandawati, a 
noted chief, 60 years old. Two others were with him and he 
brought back 15 Huron captives. They were 30 days on the 
way, reaching the Hurons Oct. 23. At this time the Onon- 
dagas and Cayugas favored peace; the Senecas and Mohawks 
opposed it. 

In January 1748 a new Huron embassy was sent with one of 
the Onondagas, two remaining as hostages. This was attacked 
by the Mohawks and some Hurons were killed. Early in April 
Skandawati disappeared and was found dead by his own hand, 
lying on the bed of cedar boughs which he had prepared. His 
companion said: 

I knew that he would do a thing like this; that which hath 
cast him into this desperation is the shame which he had in seeing 
that the Sonnontoueronnons and Annieronnons come here to 
massacre you, even over your frontiers ; for though they are your 
enemies they are our allies, and they ought to have shown us 
this respect, that having come here on an embassy, they should 
defer any evil stroke till after our return. 

In one of their attacks near St Ignace, the Mohawks killed or 
captured 40 Hurons, and the Senecas over 30 in another place. 
Some Huron towns were abandoned. In a hunting party 
attacked by the Senecas was one of the Onondaga hostages. 
They forced him to be present when they took another party, 
giving him one of the prisoners. He demanded to be sent back 
to the Hurons, being an ambassador, saying that he would " die 
with them sooner than to appear to have acted as their enemy." 
He was allowed to return with his captive. 

In the Relation of 1648 is the first circumstantial mention of 
the Eries. In the list of sedentary nations in 1635 they appear 
as the Rhiierrhonons, and in that of 1639 as the Eriehronon. 
From that of 1648 we may infer that they were at a considerable 
distance from the Iroquois, and probably in the central and 



194 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

southern parts of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. To 
their towns we may assign the Massawomekes, so much dreaded 
in early days in Virginia. In speaking of Lake Erie the Relation 
adds: 

This lake, named Erie', was formerly inhabited on its southern 
coasts by certain peoples whom we call the nation of the Cat; 
who have been obliged to withdraw inland, in order to get away 
from their enemies, who are more toward the west. These 
people of the Cat have a number of fixed villages, for they culti- 
vate the ground, and are of the same language as our Hurons. 

The Andastes went to Onondaga to plead for the Hurons ; but 
all negotiations failed, and their downfall came rapidly on, all 
the Iroquois suddenly turning against them and no one taking 
their part. In July 1648, Teanaustaye', or St Joseph, was attacked 
and taken, with another frontier village included in the same 
mission. The principal town had 400 families, but the men were 
mostly away at the time. There were many Christians there, 
and, while these were assembled for worship, there was a sudden 
alarm and universal terror. Some ran to fight and others to fly. 
Father Antoine Daniel stood where the peril was greatest, encour- 
aging the Hurons and baptizing many. The assault became 
more furious and resistance was vain. He went to his church 
with his flock, going forth alone to meet the enemy when they 
came on with savage yells. His boldness checked them but for 
a moment. He was quickly slain and the place destroyed, 700 
being killed or captured, mostly women and children. A larger 
number were saved by flying to the strong house of the Jesuits. 

A terrible blow came the following spring. Unknown to the 
Hurons, about 1000 Iroquois had left home in the autumn of 
1648, leisurely hunting through the winter as they approached 
the Huron towns. All the nations were represented in this 
army and most had firearms. The night before Mar. 16 they 
came quietly to the walls of Taenhatentaron, or St Ignace, where 
they found a strong stockade and a deep ditch. A careful recon- 
naissance showed one place weaker than the rest, and they broke 
through this so secretly and quickly that they were masters of 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I95 

the town before the people awoke. There was some resistance, 
10 of the Iroquois being slain, but out of 400 inhabitants only 
three escaped. 

This was at daybreak. At sunrise the Iroquois attacked the 
mission of St Louis, a fortified town a league away. Most of 
the people had fled, but 80 warriors bravely defended the place, 
killing 30 of their foes. Axes were plied against the stockade, 
a breach was made, the Iroquois rushed in and the defenders 
were slain. Having burned the town, the Iroquois returned to 
St Ignace and refreshed themselves. Then they reconnoitered 
the fortified French mission house, intending an attack with 200 
men, but were deterred by its strength. A party of 300 Hurons 
intercepted them on the morning of the 17th, but the vanguard 
quickly fled. The main body stood firm and captured 30 Iro- 
quois, but were beaten in turn. The furious combat lasted into 
the night. On the 19th the enemy had disappeared, but terror 
and desolation remained. 

Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant were taken in St Louis, stripped 
naked and carried to St Ignace, where they suffered terribly. 
Brebeuf had red hot axes hung about him, some telling him that 
they did this out of kindness, for the greater his sufferings here 
the greater would be his glory hereafter, and indeed his fortitude 
made a lasting impression on foes and friends. Hot water was 
poured on both in derision of baptism. This torture Brebeuf 
endured for three hours and Lalemant for double that time. 
Some Hurons were bound and burned in the houses, the whole 
town being destroyed. 

Hope was lost and famine followed. The Hurons abandoned 
five strong towns. One town, that of Scanonaenrat, surrendered 
and removed to the Senecas, where it long had a separate exist- 
ence. Many families went to the neighboring nations, as the 
Petuns, Neutrals and Eries, only to have the same experience 
again. Some sought the islands and woods, multitudes perishing 
in the wilderness. Part determined to take refuge with the 
French at Quebec. The missionaries burned their house, fol- 
lowed those who went to the islands and the Petuns, and the land 



I96 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

was abandoned. There the Iroquois had full and unresisted 
range, and the bravest were unnerved. 

The Petun or Tobacco nation, otherwise known as Tionontaties 
or Mountaineers, was the next to suffer. In November 1649 the 
Petuns learned with joy that 300 Iroquois were in Canada, unde- 
cided what place to attack. Those of the town called St Jean by 
the French, Etharita by the Petuns, waited for them several days 
and then, fearing they might escape, sallied forth to find them, 
considering them already vanquished. This was Dec. 5. 
The enemy took another road, making some prisoners, from 
whom they learned that the town was destitute of men. They 
hastened their march and were before the place Dec. 7, at 3 p. m. 
It was an easy prey, but the Iroquois, fearing the return of the 
warriors, with great cruelties killed all who could not march 
quickly. Father Charles Gamier was alone in this mission and 
went at once to his chapel, where he was killed at his post, but 
without torture. The Iroquois had no time for that. Two days 
after the Petun warriors returned. Their homes were desolate, 
their people dead or in captivity. Their horror was too deep for 
cries or words. For half a day they sat silent on the ground, 
without raising their eyes, without moving" and seeming hardly 
to breathe, like statues of stone. 

The western war diminished but did not remove hostilities on 
the St Lawrence. The Mohawks attacked the French in 1650, 
near Three Rivers, fighting in the marsh and flying in their 
canoes. When their enemies were scattered, they turned against 
them. They were led by a half-breed, well known as the Dutch 
Bastard. In the Mohawk country a party of Hurons and Algon- 
quins was betrayed to the Mohawks that year and was destroyed. 

Still most of the Mohawks were aiding the upper Iroquois that 
year, having their promise to fight against the Andastes as soon 
as the western warfare was over. This had a new object for a 
while. In 1650 war began against the Neutrals, whose frontier 
towns were quickly taken, one in the autumn of 1650, the other 
the following spring. One was garrisoned by 1600 men. The car- 
nage was fearful and the number of prisoners immense, the young 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I97 

women being reserved to populate the Iroquois towns. The 
Neutral nation was ruined, terror was everywhere, even the dis- 
tant towns were abandoned, and multitudes perished in the 
woods. In this terrible scene the Iroquois lost all fear, and were 
everywhere present to increase its horrors. Hurons, Neutrals 
and Tionontaties fell on every hand, the sight of one Iroquois 
putting a host to flight. The Montagnards and the Algonquins 
of the Ottawa river were swept away, and trade was ruined. 

The names of some Neutral towns appear in earlier Relations. 
A note in Charlevoix's New France [i : 271] says that in 1650 the 
Neutrals, under Tahontaenrat, routed 600 Iroquois, and killed 
200. The Relations say nothing of this, and the name is that of a 
Huron tribe. The same note says that in 165 1 the Iroquois 
attacked the Neutrals and took Te Otondiatin. Their success 
seems to have been uniform. 

The only reverse the Iroquois had at this time in this western 
warfare was not in the open field but through Huron treachery. 
This was long remembered and fully punished. The Hurons had 
a fort on an island, and the Iroquois built one on the mainland 
opposite. By deceptive acts and false proposals of peace, 30 of 
the bravest Iroquois were decoyed into the Huron fort and slain. 
The survivors went away for aid and most of the Hurons fled, 
those who did not being soon destroyed. When one reads the 
history of those three years, one can appreciate the feelings of 
the missionaries when they said they would do all they could, 
" in spite of all the rage of hell, and the cruelties of the Iroquois, 
who are worse than the demons of hell." 

Three powerful nations being now out of the way, the Iroquois 
soon came in contact with others north and west. Idle stories of 
earlier treaties with the Ottawas and Ojibwas scarcely deserve 
mention, though some have given credence to them. If they 
have any foundation, the date must be later than the Huron con- 
quest, the immediate effects of which were great. Among others 
the Attikamegues, or White Fish nation of the northwest, was 
thrice invaded, and the women and children carried off " to the 
land of fires and flames." 



198 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Chapter 8 

French and Boston people. Mohawk chief burned at Three Rivers. Pon- 
cet taken and released. Onondaga negotiations. Garakontie'. Le Moyne 
visits Onondaga and the salt springs. Iroquois slaves. Death of An- 
nenraes and the Erie war. Le Moyne visits the Mohawks. Chaumonot 
and Dablon visit Onondaga and build chapel. Jealousy between Mo- 
hawks and Onondagas. Dablon returns. Journey of French colony. 
Fort built on Onondaga lake. Land grant. Site of the mission. Gar- 
reau killed. Missions in four Iroquois nations. Withdrawal of colony. 

The Mohawks did not all go to the western wars. In 1650 
they asked leave of the Dutch to cross their lands in going against 
the eastern Indians, feeling bound to do this by the treaty made 
five years before. This was not yet old enough for full confi- 
dence, and, when the Tappan Indians came to Fort Orange that 
year, saying that the Mohawks were about to attack the Dutch, 
some alarm was felt. Labatie, who commanded there, was asked 
to go to them with a new embassy but refused, yet deputies were 
sent and distributed presents to the amount of 600 guilders. 

In 165 1 the Council at Quebec proposed an offensive and 
defensive alliance against the Iroquois to the people of Boston, 
as they were troublesome to both. In their proposal the French 
said they were " barbarous Heathens, who have neither God, nor 
Faith, nor Justice in all their proceedings." 

The Hurons, settled near Quebec, became presumptuous at this 
time and raised a war party against the Mohawks which they 
thought invincible. Some Algonquins and others joined them, 
but they were defeated with much loss. There are several base- 
less stories, ascribed to this period, of conflicts and treaties. 

Father Jacques Buteux was killed by the Iroquois May 10, 
1652, while on his way to the White Fish nation. War continued, 
generally with advantage to the Iroquois. When they defeated 
the Huron party mentioned, they took Toratati, the chief, and 
burned him alive. One doubtful act increased the enmity to the 
French. A hostile Mohawk party on the St Lawrence began to 
make proposals of peace. These were distrusted, and one of 
their canoes was seized, with three men. One was their leader, 
Aontarisati, a great favorite in his own land, and the Mohawks 
were much enraged when he was burned at Three Rivers after 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS I99 

being baptized. To avenge his death, a Mohawk party came 
near that place the following winter, but the French strength- 
ened their works and doubled the guard. The enemy withdrew, 
but a small party returned in the spring, making ambushes and 
doing much damage. Father Poncet-was taken prisoner Aug. 
20, 1653, with another Frenchman who was burned. Poncet was 
soon released, because of new proposals for peace. While in the 
Mohawk country he was adopted by a widow, and said : 

So soon as I entered her cabin she began to sing the song of 
the dead, in which she was joined by her two daughters. I was 
standing near the fire during these mournful dirges ; they made 
me sit upon a sort of table slightly raised, and then I understood 
I was in the place of the dead, for whom these women renewed 
the last mourning, to bring the deceased to life again in my per- 
son, according to their custom. 

Unexpected events had happened and his release came quickly. 

He said : 

I was only a month in the land of the Iroquois. I came in the 
fourth of September; I went out the third of October. And in 
this brief time I had intercourse with the Hollanders; I had seen 
Fort Orange ; I had passed three times through the four villages 
of the Iroquois Agniers; the remainder of the time of my cap- 
tivity was occupied in my going and my return. I was taken by 
the River of the Iroquois and Lake Champlain, and consequently 
there were but two days of the journey by land. And I was 
brought back by another route, so that I have passed over the 
two routes which their armies and their warriors take when they 
come in search of us. 

Montreal suffered much from the Iroquois, but Maison-neuve 
brought 100 settlers from France, and conditions improved. One 
event became historic, the beginning of a new era. In the midst 
of alarms, 60 Onondagas came to Montreal June 26, 1653, to 
propose peace, saying that the Cayugas and Oneidas favored 
their coming. They warned the French also that 600 Mohawks 
were in the field, intending to fall on Three Rivers. The Onon- 
dagas had a good reception, going also to Quebec, and sent a 
second deputation there in September. 

One Mohawk party was defeated by the Hurons on the island 
of Montreal, the captain and four principal men being made pris- 



200 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

oners, and there were other fierce encounters. The Mohawks at 
Three Rivers, finding unexpected resistance, sent in a white flag 
with proposals of peace, a favorite scheme. When told of Father 
Poncet's captivity, they at once sent orders for his release. Mean- 
time, the Hurons and their prisoners fell into their hands, but 
were well treated, and all went on to Quebec, accompanied by 
the Onondaga deputies. Andioura, the Mohawk chief, was 
speaker at Quebec, showing the presents and asking that a French 
settlement should be made in the Iroquois country. The Iro- 
quois went home to ratify the peace in their own land. All this 
was done in September, but the Onondagas promised to come 
again before spring. 

The Mohawks desired by this treaty to secure the Hurons at 
Quebec for themselves and the Onondagas did the same. A 
council was held with the latter Feb. 5, 1654, affirming the peace, 
but the desire of both for the Hurons again clouded the prospect. 
The Hurons feared these nations most and their mutual jealousy. 
They thought the Onondagas had not forgotten the death of 34 
men, treacherously killed in the island fort, and that the Mohawks 
hoped to avenge Aontarisati, whom they had burned. This 
business was deferred. While this was going on, the Oneidas 
seized a Frenchman and took him to their country, but he was 
soon released at Garakontie"s desire, who pledged his life for 
him. Some Tionontaties and Ottawas had taken 13 Senecas and 
others, while on their way to Montreal, but gave their captives 
into the hands of Sagochiendaguete', the principal man of the 
Onondagas. This was Garakontie', often called by the Onon- 
daga council name in virtue of his office. 

Father Simon Le Moyne went to Onondaga on this important 
business, leaving Montreal July 17, 1654, accompanied by a young 
Frenchman called Jean Baptiste. Soon after the Mohawks came 
down and objected to his mission, there being a strong jealousy 
between the two nations. The Mohawks said they were the 
eastern door and all outside business should be done through 
them. It was dangerous for the French to come through the 
central chimney, for they might fall into the great council fire. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 201 

On this they were promised a visit from Le Moyne if they could 
overtake him, but they failed in this. 

The journal is of great interest, describing the upper St Law- 
rence for the first time. Like some later writers, he included 
the Thousand Islands in Lake Ontario. At the mouth of Sal- 
mon river he found a village of captive Hurons, among them many 
old friends. They belonged to the .Onondagas. Thence he 
crossed the country to the foot of Oneida lake, where was an 
Onondaga fishing village. Small hamlets lay beyond. From 
the lake his course was due south to Onondaga, then a large town 
on Indian hill, 2 miles south of Manlius village. There he had a 
grand reception and was lodged in Garakontie"s house. He was 
used to Indian ways and was a general favorite. His knowledge 
of the Huron tongue was useful here, for it was much like the 
Mohawk. At first called Ouane by the Hurons, he had suc- 
ceeded to Jogues's name of Ondessonk. 

He reached Onondaga Aug. 5, entering the town singing the 
ambassador's song and receiving addresses of welcome. He was 
delighted to meet old Huron friends and, when the council met, 
Aug. 10, he presented his 19 belts, speaking for two hours in a 
chief's tone and manner. In his speech he bewailed the death of 
Annenraes, taken and killed by the Eries. This Onondaga chief 
was once a prisoner to the Hurons. 

On the way and in the town Le Moyne had baptized several 
children. His first adult baptism there was of a captive Neutral 
girl. Colden said that the Iroquois had no slaves, but they are 
often mentioned in the Relations and their treatment described. 
They were absolutely at the will of their masters. Just before 
Le Moyne left he had a convert of importance, baptizing Ochiona- 
gueras by the name of Jean Baptiste. He was the leader of the 
army against the Eries and the first Onondaga adult baptized. 

Le Moyne began his return Aug. 15, with the usual parting 
ceremonies. The village was nearly 15 miles from the salt 
springs, which were reached next day. At that time the Indians 
did not use salt and they thought the springs were inhabited by 
some demon. Le Moyne boiled the water and made salt, carry- 



202 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

ing some to Quebec. Through an error in quotation a knowledge 
of this by the French has been placed 10 years earlier. The 
Kirkpatrick fountain, near the spot, will commemorate this event. 

Le Moyne was now on new waters and his passage down the 
Oswego river the earliest recorded by a white man, Champlain 
not having reached that stream, and Le Moyne not having landed 
at Oswego, as many have supposed. Lake Ontario was now 
called the Lake of the Iroquois, and the missionary followed its 
shore to Salmon river, arriving there Aug. 23. He said: "We 
arrive at the place which they destine for bur house, and a French 
settlement. There are charming prairies, good fishing, an access 
for all nations." 

From his journal the rest of the way seems uneventful, but 
Charlevoix said he suppressed one important particular, lest it. 
should lead to trouble. He said that Le Moyne had with him two 
Onondagas, some Hurons and Algonquins, who were surrounded 
by Mohawk canoes, when near Montreal, and fired on. The Hu- 
rons, Algonquins and one Onondaga, were killed and Le Moyne 
made a prisoner. The surviving Onondaga was told he might 
go home, but he refused to abandon his charge and threatened 
the Mohawks with the wrath of the upper Iroquois. They 
relented, and the Onondaga took Le Moyne to Montreal. Mother 
Mary of the Incarnation said the Mohawks threw the blame on 
the Dutch Bastard. The story is in every way improbable, the 
Onondagas would not have passed over such an affront lightly, 
nor would Le Moyne have visited the Mohawks the following 
year. 

One interesting feature of this visit to Onondaga was the 
recovery of Brebeuf's New Testament and Garnier's book of 
devotions, showing that the Onondagas were active in the Huron 
tragedy. They also had Huron, Neutral and Petun captives. 

The Erie war increased the demand for arms and ammunition ; 
and, lest the Iroquois should get these of the English, the Dutch 
ordered Rutger Johnson to furnish them sparingly and secretly. 
The Eries were called Rique' by the Iroquois and Eriee' by the 
Hurons, not as pronounced by us. Their exact location is uncer- 
tain ; but, as the Onondagas carried their canoes to their towns, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 203 

which were inland, they may have ascended Cattaraugus creek 
or gone to the head waters of the Alleghany, perhaps both. The 
story of the war and its causes is interesting. The Eries had sent 
30 men to the Senecas to treat of peace, and, while they were 
there, a Seneca was elsewhere killed by an Erie. The Senecas fell 
on the ambassadors, of whom but five escaped. War ensuing, the 
Onondaga chief, Annenraes, was taken before he knew of the 
outbreak; but he proved as persuasive as of old and was given 
to the sister of one of the dead ambassadors, with the hope that 
he might preserve peace. She was not then at home, but they 
doubted not her acceptance, clothed him handsomely and feasted 
him well. When she returned, she refused all offers, though 
this might ruin her country. He must die, and they had to yield. 
They took him from the feast, stripped him of his robes and 
kindled the fire. " He cried out before dying that they were 
going to burn a nation in his person, and that they would cruelly 
avenge his death." An Iroquois army quickly took the field and 
made his words good. 

There is a fanciful Seneca tradition of this war which has been 
credited by many, but which has no likeness to the contempo- 
raneous account, and the latter has some difficulties. According 
to this the Eries abandoned most of their towns, but at last made 
a stand in a strong fort and were summoned to surrender. They 
refused, and a terrible assault began, which was long unsuccess- 
ful. The palisades were high and well defended. The Iroquois 
took their canoes and bore them before them, using them first as 
shields and then as ladders. The fort was carried with the loss 
of many of the assailants, but with terrible carnage to the inmates. 
After this, 300 rallied and planned a surprise, which was badly 
conducted. At the first Iroquois yell they lost heart and fled. 
The invaders suffered much, but except as captives the Eries 
appeared no more. One campaign destroyed them. 

The Iroquois invaders are said to have been 1800 men, but 
it is safe to reduce this estimate, and, as the Eries fought bravely 
on the defensive in a strong fort, their numbers could hardly have 
been large, and archeologic evidence rather favors this. This 



204 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

accords with the fact that before this they left the shore of Lake 
Erie to seek homes less exposed to their foes. On the other hand, 
their warlike character made them dreaded by the Iroquois, who 
were inclined to the French by this fear. Few or many, they 
were brave. As the birthplace of a captive to the Oneidas, the 
name of Gentaieton, the chief Erie town, alone has come down 
to us. 

In 1655 Le Moyne went to the Mohawks and was well received. 
Both Seneca and Onondaga ambassadors were in Canada that 
year, which resulted in the journey of Fathers Joseph Chaumonot 
and Claude Dablon to Onondaga, where a firm alliance was made 
and a place selected for a colony, this being changed from Salmon 
river to Onondaga lake. 

The two missionaries were received with the usual stately 
Iroquois ceremonies for ambassadors, and they have left graphic 
accounts of these. As in many other cases, Garakontie', the head 
chief and always their host, was called by the Onondaga council 
name. Nov. 7, 1655, " It was told the Father in this assembly, 
first that [S] Agochiendaguete', who is as the great king of all 
the country, and Onnontio were equally firm and constant in their 
decisions." The French superior of missions was called Achi- 
endase' by the Iroquois, and all the missionaries had Indian 
names, which were given to others when they died. Curiously 
enough, Mr J. G. Shea thought Garakontie' was not a principal 
chief and that he was a nephew of Sagochiendaguete'. This 
came from a confusion of names. 

Nov. 18 a chapel was built, of which Dablon said, " For mar- 
bles and precious stones we had but bark ; but the way to heaven 
is as open through a roof of bark as through fretted ceilings of 
silver and gold." The mission was named St John Baptist. 

The speeches and songs in the council at this time were fully 
recorded by Dablon, Garakontie' intoning most of the latter. It 
was a beautiful land which the French were to inhabit. The 
news of their coming was good and their speech heavenly. Very 
welcome were these brethren of the delightful voice. Farewell 
to war and all its horrors. Both parties had been mad, but were 
now brothers. The great peace was made, everything was beau- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 205 

tiful, and henceforth there would be mutual support. It was a 
time of rejoicing. 

About this time the Dutch had Indian troubles, there being an 
outbreak near Manhattan, and in October the Dutch at Fort 
Orange thought it prudent to renew their Mohawk alliance. In 
November ioo Mohawks came there to say that they were about 
to attack the Hurons and asked the Dutch to be neutral. 

The Mohawks and Onondagas were often in antagonism. In 
1656 a Mohawk chief desired the French " to close the door of 
his houses and his forts to the Onnontagueronnon, who wishes 
to be my foe, and who broods over thoughts of war against me." 
A little earlier the Mohawks had killed a Seneca ambassador 
near Montreal, jealous of his mission to the French. This 
nearly caused a war between the two nations, going so far that 
the Mohawks unsuccessfully applied to the Dutch for mediation 
and aid. This matter was afterward settled at Onondaga, though 
the two nations " were at the point of entering into war." Their 
alliance was not old enough to make them thoroughly one. In 
1653 an Onondaga chief had told the French " that it was very 
necessary to distinguish between nation and nation ; that the 
Onnontaeronnons were not unfaithful like the Anniehronnon 
Iroquois," with like complimentary speeches. 

Chaumonot and Dablon have left notes of their winter at 
Onondaga, but found the people impatient of French delays. 
For three years they had talked of founding a colony, but nothing 
had been done. If they did not act at once, the plan would be 
abandoned and war might follow\ On this Dablon returned to 
Montreal early in March 1656, crossing Oneida lake on the ice 
and reaching Montreal after a fearful journey. The emergency 
was seen, his mission was successful, and the French colony left 
Quebec, May 17, 1756, escorted by some Onondagas, Senecas and 
Hurons. There were four Jesuit fathers and two brothers in the 
party, and between 50 and 60 colonists and soldiers. Soon after 
starting, they were assailed by a party of Mohawks, who mal- 
treated some of the Onondagas, but made excuses, fearing war 
with that people. 



206 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

At Montreal they embarked in 20 canoes, leaving there June 
8. A large flag of white taffeta, with the name of Jesus, floated 
over one of these. Some Mohawks were encountered, whom the 
Onondagas, their kindred, reviled and plundered. Hunger 
pressed the party sorely, July 3, but they hoped for relief at 
Otiatonnehengue', the fishing village at the mouth of Salmon 
river. No one was there, the fishing season being over, and 
from their distress the place was long known as La Famine. 
Charlevoix connected this name with De la Barre's camp there, 
but it appeared before that time. 

Out of 14 Indians but five remained with them, and the party 
struggled on, contending with the waves of the lake and the 
rapids of Oswego river, hungry and faint all the way. At 
Oswego Falls there came welcome relief. Salmon filled the 
river and the Onondagas sent them food. Brimming kettles were 
set over the fires. They reveled in their abundant supplies and 
rejoiced, for " one fair day effaces the memory of ten which are 
bad." Pleasantly they ascended the broad and beautiful stream, 
entering Onondaga lake, July 11, firing their five small cannon and 
advancing in ranks of four canoes. They were joyfully received 
by the assembled multitudes, and the fortified mission of St Mary 
of Gannentaa was soon built on the eastern shore of the lake. 

The colonists of New York and Canada differed in the appro- 
priation of land. The former purchased land at a nominal price, 
the latter took what they wanted. In the allied documents of 
Burrows's edition of the Jesuit Relations is a translation of a 
deed given by Governor Lauson to the Jesuits at this time. There 
was granted and given to them : 

Ten leagues of space in every direction — that is to say, ten 
leagues front and ten leagues depth, — and where they shall 
choose to establish themselves in the country of the Upper Irocois 
called Onondageoronons, be it in or near the village of Onnon- 
dage, or at Gannentae, or as is said, in that place where they 
shall judge most convenient to them, the said space and extent 
of ten leagues square is to be possessed by the said reverend 
Jesuit fathers, their successors and assigns, in freehold forever. 

The Onondaga town lay within this space, and its people 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 207 

probably never knew of the existence of a grant so absolute, 
and to which their consent had never been asked. The grand 
seneschal of New France was enjoined to put the Jesuits in pos- 
session. The governor had also " caused a fort to be erected on 
Lake Gonontaa, and granted to sundry private persons some Iro- 
quois lands, for which deeds have been executed." This was 
dated at Quebec, Ap. 12, 1756, five weeks before the colony left. 
The French ideas were much like those of Governor Winthrop 
of Massachusetts : " If we leave them sufficient for their use, 
we may lawfully take the rest, there being more than enough 
for them and us." 

The mission buildings were erected on the east shore of Onon- 
daga lake, south of the present village of Liverpool, the site 
being described as at a distance from any salt springs. A work 
supposed to mark the spot was probably that made by Frontenac 
40 years later, and does not agree in outline with what we know 
of the mission which probably stood there. Regarding that, too, 
the Relations definitely speak of but one house, possibly a term 
for the whole stockade, including several houses, the circum- 
stances seeming to require this in order to build and remove 
several large boats unseen, with their lading. On the other hand, 
Charlevoix distinctly speaks of the Jesuits' own house as the 
largest of all. In De Nonville's memoir of 1688 it is also said 
that the colonists cleared and planted fields, and also " built 
many large houses." For lodging over 60 men it could hardly 
have been otherwise. 

More specifically, the mission seems to have been on lot 106, 
Salina, near the large spring where Frontenac's fort was in 1696 
and which he left to camp for a night at the salt springs, all the 
early ones known being south of the marsh. A passage in the 
Relation of 1656 has been misapplied. In this we are told : 
" The fountain of which one makes very good salt, intersects 
a beautiful prairie, surrounded by a grove of high forest trees. 
At 80 or 100 paces from this salt spring is seen another of fresh 
water, and these two opposites take birth from the bosom of the 
same hill." 



208 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

The last was not the so called Jesuit spring, but one formerly 
in the first ward of Syracuse. The Relation says there was no 
salt spring near the mission. When rattlesnakes were described, 
the writer said : " I know not if the serpents are attracted by 
the salt ; but I well know that the place where we have set up 
our dwelling, surrounded by beautiful springs of fresh water, is 
not infested by them, though it is on the shores of the same lake." 

A redoubt was soon made for the soldiers, and around it " the 
fountains of fresh water were in abundance." De Nonville said 
that the 60 French included 12 soldiers under Dupuis, and that 
they left four bronze cannon. There were more of both. 

The trouble between the Mohawks and Senecas was settled by 
arbitration at Onondaga in 1656, this being an early Iroquois 
principle. " This grand council was held on the 24th of July, 
when all the nations referred to Achiendase' (who was our father 
superior) the cause of the Mohawks and Senecas, which was very 
soon ended." The former did not even then feel quite safe from 
their allies, for next year they asked the Dutch for a refuge for 
their families if attacked by the Senecas, and horses to draw pali- 
sades to repair their forts. 

Father Garreau was killed by the Mohawks in Canada in 1656 
and in that year they paraded before Quebec, making some Can- 
adian Indian prisoners dance. Meanwhile, the strife for the 
Hurons went on. The Mohawks carried off some near Quebec, 
killing many but granting peace to the rest on condition that 
they would soon go to the Mohawk country. When they came 
for them, the Hurons still hesitated. The nation of the Cord 
refused to go, but the Bears went. Those of the Rock would go 
to Onondaga, but some were massacred on the road. 

Meanwhile, Chaumonot had visited the Senecas and Oneidas, 
and missions were established among all the nations except the 
Mohawks. Father Menard had a mission among the Cayugas, 
and on the shore of their lake David Le Moine died. He was 
a donne, or one specially devoted to religious work. At Onon- 
daga lake there was much sickness and two deaths occurred. 
The Onondagas came to comfort the French, relieving the sick 
and covering the graves of the dead with speeches and presents. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 200, 

The Mohawks now plotted their ruin. The Onondagas, at first 
enthusiastic over their new friends, became lukewarm and then 
secretly hostile, though the French afterward had no doubt of 
their sincerity at first. The destruction of the colony was deter- 
mined, but was delayed by two causes. Garakontie' favored the 
French and postponed their surprise under various pretexts, 
probably even giving them warning. Besides this, a large num- 
ber of Iroquois were under restraint at Montreal, and the blow 
could not be struck till these were safe. With hints of the plot, 
the French made shrewd preparations. It was winter, and all 
the missionaries were called in. Some colonists and soldiers had 
returned to Canada. The rest were employed in making boats in 
the garret of a large house. Charlevoix varies much from the 
Relation in minor details. The colony had four Algonquin and 
four Iroquois canoes and built two bateaux, each large enough 
for 15 men. In this little fleet 53 persons were to embark. 

In due time a feast was proclaimed, which may have been held 
outside of the mission, in the cabins east of the house, where 
some had been made, the town being nearly 15 miles away. If 
held within, great precautions must have been taken. During 
the noise of the feast, the boats were carried out of the back door 
of the stockade, launched and loaded. The guests w r ere dis- 
missed, and, when all were asleep, the fort was evacuated, on the 
night of Mar. 20, 1658. A fearful journey it was through the 
freezing lake, down the river, over the portage at the falls and 
through Lake Ontario. At its foot they cut their way through 
the ice. In running the rapids three men were drowned, but the 
rest reached Montreal, Ap. 3, where the ice had just gone out. 
All through it was a marvelous deliverance, and their disap- 
pearance greatly astonished the Onondagas, who waited till the 
next night for them to come forth, wondering at their long- 
silence. At Montreal they were hailed as men from the dead. 

In that year the Mohawks sent a large party to join the upper 
Iroquois against the Ottawas, who had killed 30 of their men the 
year before. Their leader was Tecarihoguen, head chief of the 
Mohawks. At this time the upper lakes were lined with Algon- 



210 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

quins and other refugees from the Iroquois, some Hurons having 
retired beyond Lake Superior. 

Chapter 9 

Iroquois war renewed, and their strength. Huron and French defeat on 
Ottawa river. Sad condition of Canada. Proposals of peace. Le Moyne 
goes to Onondaga. His reception. Rank of Garakontie'. Hotreouate'. 
War with Minquas or Andastes. Iroquois and eastern Indians. New 
Esopus war. Onondaga embassy to Canada attacked, with consequent 
war. First treaty between Five Nations and English. De Tracy builds 
forts and invades Mohawks twice. 

War now raged everywhere, with varying fortunes, but with 
much distress to the French, many of whom were made pris- 
oners, but were often well cared for by Garakontie'. Governor 
d'Argenson landed at Quebec July 11, 1658, and the next day 
there was a massacre of Algonquins close to that place. The 
Iroquois were quickly pursued, but escaped. Some Mohawks 
tried to surprise Three Rivers, and afterward 10 of them entered 
the town for a peace talk and were seized. Their leader was 
Atogoiiaekouan, or the Great Spoon, who came to Quebec to 
treat of peace in 1645. They were released after scaring them. 
The Iroquois now carried their arms far and wide and in 1659 
began to approach Hudson bay. 

That year the Mohawks put the Esopus people on their guard 
and were successful in arranging a truce between the Indians and 
the Dutch. They again wanted help in repairing their castles and 
held a council with the Dutch, in which reference was made to 
the first treaty between them 16 years before, probably meaning 
that of 1645. Aid was supplied. 

Of the many small encounters in the Canadian war little need 
be said, but there is a curious estimate of Iroquois strength in the 
Relation of 1660, which is worthy of note as a contrast to the 
numbers constantly reported in the field. Of the Mohawks there 
were not more than 500 warriors, of Oneidas less than 100, of 
Onondagas and Cayugas about 300 each, and of Senecas not 
more than 1000. Of these the conquered Hurons, Tionontaties, 
Neutrals, Eries, Fire Nation and others made the largest and best 
part. Yet they were a terrible scourge to Canada. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 211 

Late in the winter of 1660 a band of 40 chosen Hurons left 
Quebec on a war party with 18 Frenchmen. Some Algonquins 
joined them at Three Rivers and they took post below the Sault 
de Chaudiere on the Ottawa, to wait for Iroquois hunters, who 
usually passed there in single file. Some of these saw them and 
gathered the rest, who were soon arrayed as warriors. Solemnly 
and openly 200 Onondagas came down the sault in their canoes, 
ready for the fight. Their astonished foes took refuge in an old 
fort, making a vigorous defense. Then the Mohawks came and 
aided in the siege, which lasted for 10 days. Water could be had 
only at the peril of life, and part of the Indians deserted to their 
foes. The French fired on a flag of truce, and the Iroquois were 
infuriated. Guarded by wooden shields, they rushed at the pali- 
sades to cut them down. The French grenades were exhausted, 
and they used disabled gun barrels. At last they tried to throw 
a barrel of powder over the wall, hoping it might explode in the 
midst of their foes. Unfortunately it caught in a bough, fell back, 
exploded within, and the fight was soon over. Not so the cruel- 
ties of the conquerors. This disaster was deeply felt by both 
Hurons and French, who also heard that all the Iroquois would 
make war on them the coming year. Quebec was blockaded by 
700 Iroquois, victors in this fight. In this gloom the only ray of 
light was that a Cayuga party came to Montreal and said they 
wished to be neutral. 

In 1660 the Mohawks invited the Indians living near New 
Amsterdam to live with them and made a southern journey to 
reconcile the Minquas and Senecas. They were present at the 
treaty with the Esopus Indians and gave bail for their good 
behavior. The Senecas also came to Fort Orange, and the Dutch 
hoped they would be at peace with the Minquas, here called 
Maquas by clerical error. It was at the conference at Esopus 
that a Minqua chief sharply reproved the Indians there : " Ye 
cause us and the Mohawks great losses. This is not your land. 
It is our. land. Therefore repeat not this but throw down the 
hatchet." 

The next year the Iroquois waged a worse war in Canada, 



212 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

extending all the way from Tadoussac to Montreal. At the latter 

place 160 Iroquois appeared at the end of winter and continued 

their attacks all through the summer of 1661. To the French at 

Three Rivers " it was evil upon evil, and sorrow upon sorrow." 

To this were added the terrors of the comet and earthquake. 

On the Ottawa river and Lake Huron not an Indian could be 

found, so great was the fear of the Iroquois. At Quebec the 

brave M. de Lauson was killed, and in words of that date, " the 

Iroquois burned, killed and carried off with impunity." 

It was a gloomy time; but, in the midst of these trials, two 

Iroquois canoes came to Montreal in July 1661, bearing a white 

flag and peace proposals from the Onondagas and Cayugas. 

Saonchiogwa, a Cayuga chief and friend of the French, was the 

speaker. He brought back four prisoners from Onondaga, as 

pledges of their sincerity and would restore others. The release 

of eight Cayugas was desired. The mission house yet stood at 

Lake Gannentaa, the fields there were cultivated and ready for 

the return of the French. Garakontie' had cared for the prisoners. 

Then he spoke very gravely. 

It is necessary, said he, that a Black Robe should come with 
me ; without this there is no peace, and the lives of twenty French 
captives at Onondaga are attached to this voyage. While saying 
this he produced the leaf of I know not what Book, on the mar- 
gin of which the twenty Frenchmen had written their names. 

As a result, Father Le Moyne went on a peace embassy to the 

Iroquois for the fifth time, regarding " the day of his departure 

as one of the happiest days of his life." A glorious mission 

indeed ; for peace and deliverance were to be the results. He 

wrote from the chapel at Onondaga, Aug. 25, 1661, rejoicing that 

his confidence had not been misplaced. Garakontie' had met him 

two leagues from the town, an unusual honor, and his reception 

was like a triumph, the grandest that Iroquois etiquette could 

devise. Personally popular with all, he entered fully into the 

spirit of the occasion, sustaining his part with great applause. 

•The enthusiastic Onondagas lined his path for two leagues, 

running on and taking new stations when he had passed, that 

they might see and greet him again. He said : 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 21 3 

I walked gravely between two rows of people, who give me a 
thousand benedictions, and who load me with all kinds of fruits, 
with pumpkins, with mulberries, with breads, with strawberries 
and others. I kept making my cry of Ambassador while walk- 
ing, and seeing myself near the town, which was scarcely visible 
to me, the stakes, the cabins and the trees were so covered with 
people. I stopped before taking the first step in entering the town. 

He found that the captives had been treated with much kind- 
ness, and that Garakontie' had secured them every religious privi- 
lege possible. A bell called them to public worship, which was 
led by one of their best men. Lay baptism was practised and 
much religious instruction given. Le Moyne spent nearly a 
year there and elsewhere, returning Aug. 31, 1662, with the 
remaining captives, and there was great joy in Montreal. 

Mr Shea said that Garakontie',. Sun that Advances, "was 
apparently an orator, not a sachem, and not a war chief. He is 
not mentioned in connection with the settlement of St Mary of 
Ganentaha by any of the writers of that time, and it is abso- 
lutely contrary to all authority to make him the projector of 
that movement." One little circumstance should have shown 
this eminent writer the error into which he was led by the use of 
Garakontie"s official title for his personal name. When Le 
Moyne drew near Onondaga in 1654, he said he dined with " the 
nephew of the first captain of the country, who is to lodge me in 
his cabin." In 1661 he said, " We met a captain named Gara- 
contie', who is the one with whom our fathers and I have taken 
lodging every time we have come into this country." In 1670 
he was distinctly called Sagochiendagete', and in 1654 it was 
Sagochiendagehte', an Onondaga chief, who remained as a hos- 
tage at Montreal. In 1657 it was " Sagochiendagesite' who has 
the power and royal authority over all the nation of Onontaghe, 
though he has not the name of it." In an address toward the 
close of his life, the chief spoke of his authority, and of the use 
he had always made of it for the public good. A letter from 
Onondaga in 1671 speaks of him as " the most considerable, and 
the chief of all the Iroquois nations." 

Another possible error of Mr Shea's may be noted here, as it 



214 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

is connected with this time. On his way to Onondaga Father 
Le Moyne met a war party going against the French, led by 
Hotreouate', better known as Garangula to the readers of Golden. 
He desired revenge for his imprisonment at Montreal. Soon after 
a deputation of Onondagas and Senecas, going to Montreal, met 
this party returning with scalps. They had killed an ecclesiastic, 
named M. le Maitre, and the leader wore his black robe. The 
deputies hesitated about proceeding after this act, but Gara- 
kontie' went on and was well received. The Relation of 1661 dis- 
tinctly says that the priest was killed by this Onondaga chief. 
Mr Shea said, giving no reason, " The actual murderer of Le 
Maitre, Hoandoran, became a Christian, and died at the Sulpitian 
mission at Montreal." 

The ambassadors turned back an Oneida war party, and for 
a time the Iroquois turned their arms against the northern, south- 
ern and western nations. In this year Schenectady was bought 
from the Mohawks. 

The English now aided the Minquas, according to report 
placing 50 men in their fort, but the Senecas killed many. In the 
northwest 80 Iroquois attacked 30 Attikamegues and some 
French, all of whom died fighting. In 1662 the Mohawks and 
Oneidas sent a party against the Ottawas, which was defeated by 
the Sauteurs, being surprised in the midst of a revel, and this 
was long remembered, traditionally giving name to Point Iro- 
quois near Sault Ste Marie. On the island of Montreal some Iro- 
quois killed two prominent men. A party which went against 
the Andastes or Minquas met with disaster, the Black Minquas 
having come to aid their friends. They were so named from their 
black badges. 

The English now complained that the Mohawks attacked the 
Penobscot Indians and that 260 had built a strong fort there, 
where they stayed for two weeks. Some English cattle were 
killed, and the English came to Fort Orange about this. The 
Mohawks were willing to give a wampum atonement, but would 
not give up their captives and threatened to ravage Connecticut 
if the English were not satisfied. Governor Stuyvesant, whom 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 215 

they called Wooden Leg, went to Fort Orange about this, pro- 
cured an accommodation and ransomed some captives. They 
were Kennebecs. 

Governor d'Avaugour had come to Canada in 1661, and in 1662 
he said " it was politic to exaggerate more than ever the cruelties 
of the Iroquois, in order the better to conceal the designs that 
might be adopted in this country ; fearing lest English ignorance 
and Dutch weakness might be alarmed, and have their jealousy 
excited." 

The governor of French Acadia desired a permanent peace 
between the Mohawks and northern Indians. The Mohawks 
replied that they had best be left alone. The Mahicans had fled 
from Albany and elsewhere, and left their corn lands. As the 
Dutch did not like them to pass Fort Orange, the Mohawks now 
went to the eastern wars by way of Cohoes as a rule, but a party 
of Mohawks, Onondagas and Senecas passed through the Dutch 
town in December against the eastern Indians, by whom they 
were defeated. 

In 1663 the Algonquins killed Garistarsia and 10 of his men. 
There was a desperate struggle between Garistarsia, or the 
Sword, and Gahronho, a stalwart Algonquin chief. They 
grappled, and, just as the Mohawk was about dealing a death 
blow, a lucky chance changed the result for the Algonquin, and 
the Mohawk was slain. 

That year there were new hostilities at Esopus, and the aid of 
the Mohawks was sought in recovering prisoners. The Iroquois 
sent a large force against the Minquas, which had poor success. 
According to one account the army descended a great river and 
thought they would find the foe an easy prey ; but the fort was 
defended on one side by the river and on the others by strong 
palisades, with bastions and cannon. The Iroquois then pro- 
posed sending 25 men into the fort to treat for peace and buy 
provisions for their return. They were admitted, seized and 
burned alive on scaffolds in the sight of their helpless friends. 
The Andastes told the Iroquois this was but a prelude to what 
they would do when they invaded their country. The. Iroquois 



2l6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

desired vengeance, but the smallpox had weakened their towns 
and -for a while they could do nothing. This is the French story. 
Those near by made light of the affair. About this time there 
were prospects of peace between the French and Iroquois, but 
the Hurons reported French preparations to destroy them, and 
this broke off negotiations. 

In the spring of 1664 Garakontie' prepared another peace 
embassy. Even the Mohawks wished peace, having on hand a 
Mahican war ; while the Andastes kept the upper Iroquois busy. 
Among the Onondagas Garakontie' was the prime mover, but 
the Oneidas took no action at all. The chief set out with 30 
ambassadors and 100 great belts. These fell into an Algonquin 
ambuscade, and all hopes of peace were destroyed, the Iroquois 
resolving on vengeance. Yet a Cayuga embassy came to Quebec 
Sep. 18, speaking for all but the Oneidas. War continued. 

That year Mohawk ambassadors were killed by the Abena- 
quiois, or Kennebecs, and the Mahicans attacked the Mohawks, 
killing Dutch cattle at Greenbush and ravaging the east side of 
Hudson river. The Senecas threatened to attack the Minisinks, 
whom the Minquas would defend. 

The first treaty between the Iroquois and English in New York 
was made at Albany, Sep. 24, 1664, and was signed by four 
Mohawk chiefs and four nominal Senecas, two of whom were 
Onondagas and Cayugas. The English were not to aid the New 
England Indians, who had murdered a Mohawk chief, but peace 
was to be made with the River Indians. Colden said : 

In 1664, New York being taken by the English, they immedi- 
ately entered into a Friendship with the Five Nations which has 
continued without the least Breach to this Day ; and History, I 
believe, can not give an Instance of the most Christian and most 
Catholick Kings observing a Treaty so strictly, and for so long 
a Time as these Barbarians, as they are called, have done. 

M. de Tracy came to Canada in 1665, and at once built three 
forts on the River of the Iroquois. The king of France resolved 
" to carry war even to their firesides, in order totally to exter- 
minate them," if they did not submit, though the English occu- 
pation of New York had changed the situation. The regiment 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 21 J 

of Carignan-Salieres came from Hungary, with laurels won from 
the Turks, and was now to oppose the Iroquois. Part was to 
protect the harvesters and the rest built the forts. The Iroquois 
were at first alarmed, but soon recovered and used other roads. 
An embassy led by Garakontie' came to Canada in October and 
another in December. At the latter all but the Mohawks made 
a treaty of peace, signed by the Bear, Wolf and Turtle clans. 
They desired priests and settlers, and mourned Father Le Moyne, 
who died Nov. 24. 

Governor de Courcelle went against the Mohawks Jan. 9, 1666, 
with 500 men, arriving .in their country, Feb. 9, much exhausted. 
He learned that most of the Mohawks and Oneidas had gone to 
war with the Wampum-makers, leaving only old people and chil- 
dren at home, and even these he was in no condition to attack, 
but lost some men in a Mohawk ambuscade. He got provisions of 
the Dutch and at once returned, losing more men on the way. 
The Iroquois were alarmed, not having thought invasion possible, 
and in May the Senecas came and made peace, being soon fol- 
lowed by the rest. There were hostilities after this, and Captain 
de Sorel went with 300 men against the Mohawks, but met their 
ambassadors coming to make amends. The trouble was this. 
Some Oneida deputies went to Canada in June 1666, returning 
with Father Beschefer and two Frenchmen, to induce the Mo- 
hawks and Oneidas to send deputies to a general council. Hardly 
had they gone before news came that the Mohawks had killed 
some French hunters and made others prisoners, Captain de 
Traversy and Sieur de Chasy being killed. The French were at 
once recalled and the Oneidas seized. 

Charlevoix adds that De Sorel, on his way to the Mohawk 
towns, met a party led by the Dutch Bastard, but of inferior 
force. The latter pretended he was on a peace embassy and was 
taken to De Tracy and well received. Agariata, another Mo- 
hawk chief, came afterward and said he was a deputy. At De 
Tracy's table 

The conversation turning on the death of M. de Chasy, the 
Mohawk chief, raising his arm, exclaimed : " This is the arm that 
tomahawked that young officer," The indignation of all present 



218 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



may be imagined. The Viceroy told the insolent savage that he 
would never kill another, and had him strangled on the spot by 
the executioner, in the presence of the Flemish Bastard, whom 
he retained as a prisoner. 

Colden related this differently, saying that, after peace was 
made, some Mohawks killed these Frenchmen ; and 

The Five Nations, to shew their publick Displeasure at this 
Breach of Peace, sent Agariata, the Captain of the Company that 
did the Mischief, with forty others, to beg Pardon ; but Monsieur 
Coursel was resolved to make an example of Agariata, and 
ordered him to be hanged in sight of his Company; and the 
French think that this Severity was a great Means of preserving 
the Peace till the Year 1683. 

Most of the others were sent home. De Tracy made another 
expedition that year, with 1300 men, rendezvousing at Fort St 
Anne in Lake Champlain, where De Courcelle preceded him with 
400 men. They carried two cannon. Mohawk scouts gave the 
alarm and every town was abandoned. The last town was well 
provisioned and strong enough for defense. This fort was " a 
triple palisade, surrounding their stronghold, twenty feet in 
height and flanked by four bastions." Besides food, it had 
" abundant supplies of water in bark tanks." Oct. 17, 1666, the 
troops " being drawn up in battle array before the Fort of Anda- 
raque," their commander " took possession of said Fort and of all 
the lands in the neighborhood as far and in as great a quantity 
as they may extend, and of the other four forts which have been 
conquered from the Iroquois." On this act was based part of 
the French claims to land in New York. 

Chapter 10 

Peace made and missions resumed. Van Curler drowned. Mahicans 
attack Gandaouague. Battle at Kinquarioones. Agreskoue renounced. 
Iroquois mission towns in Canada. Senecas and Ottawas at war. Bap- 
tism of Iroquois chiefs. Courcelle visits Lake Ontario. Peace between 
Mohawks and Mahicans. Count Frontenac visits Lake Ontario and 
builds Fort Frontenac. La Salle. King Philip's war. Death of Gara- 
kontie'. Hennepin among the Iroquois. Governor Andros visits the 
Mohawks. Kryn removes to Canada. Greenhalgh's journey. Cayuga 
villages in Canada. Dekanissora. War with Illinois. Onondagas 
remove town. Iroquois adopt captives. Peace between Five Nations 
and Maryland. 

These harsh measures produced a general peace, and the 

French missions were resumed in 1667. Fathers Jacques Fremiti 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 2IO, 

and Jean Pierron went to the Mohawks that year ; Father Jacques 
Bruyas accompanied them and proceeded to Oneida. Father 
Julien Gamier soon joined him, but went on to Onondaga, where 
Father Pierre Milet came to him the next year. At the same 
time Father Etienne Carheil resumed the work among the Cay- 
ugas on Cayuga lake. These had now some villages north of 
Lake Ontario, which were safe from the Andastes. The enmity 
between them and that people was great, and that year four 
Andastes women were burned at Oneida alone. 

Arent Van Curler (Corlaer) was drowned in 1667, while on 
his way to Canada. This occurred in Corlaer's bay, Lake Cham- 
plain, now called the Bay of Perou. There was a great rock 
there, beneath which the Indians thought one of their divinities 
dwelt, and they made offerings in passing. He ridiculed this, 
and the Indians thought his death a retribution for his sarcasm. 
He was a great favorite with the Mohawks, and they called the 
governors of New York after him. 

In 1668 the Wappingers joined the Mohawks against the Mahi- 
cans, 300 of whom attacked the Mohawk town of Gandaouague' 
Aug. 18, 1669, but were repulsed with loss. This was the eastern 
castle, on the north side of the river. The invaders were led by 
Chickataubutt, who was killed in the attack. They were pur- 
sued and another battle took place next day, at a place mentioned 
in a grant of July 3, 1672, as " KINAQUARIONES, Where 
the Last Battel was between the Mohoakx and the North [river] 
Indians." Of this Gen. J. S. Clark said • 

Kinaquariones is the steep rocky hill on the north side of the 
Mohawk river just above Hoffman's Ferry, nine English (equal 
to three Dutch) miles west of Schenectady. It was the western 
bounds of the original Schenectady patent, and now forms the 
southeast corner of the county of Montgomery. The ancient 
aboriginal name is still preserved in the contracted form of 
Towereoune. The palisaded castle Gandaouague', at the date of 
this assault, was on the north side. of the Mohawk, on the west 
bank of Cayadutta creek, on a high plateau known locally as the 
Sand Flats. . . This village was for a time the residence of 
Tegakwita, the Iroquois saint, and of the great Kryn, one of the 
most valiant among the many famous Mohawk warriors. 



220 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

In their turn the Mohawks became the invaders, but were 
unsuccessful, though aided by other Iroquois. On account of 
their present loss, a condolence was held with them, which has 
been confused with the Dead Feast of the Hurons, to which it 
bore no likeness. Father Pierron was present and interrupted the 
ceremony, which he did not understand. The result was that 
he induced the Mohawks to renounce the worship of Agreskoue'. 
A similar renunciation of the old worship was soon made at 
Onondaga, but was never very thorough. From that time till 
the preaching of the new religion about 1800, the religious belief 
of the Iroquois was of a very hazy kind. Through all their 
earlier history their faith in dreams was unlimited. 

The mission of St Francis Xavier a la Prairie de la Magdeliene 
was founded near Montreal in 1669, as a refuge for the Christian 
Iroquois desirous of escaping the temptations of their old homes. 
This was done by Catharine Gandiaktena, born in the Erie town 
of Gentaieton, but carried to Oneida and married there. She 
went to La Prairie with 12 others, and this led to the removal 
of many Christian Iroquois to Canada. Other Canadian mission 
towns followed, attracting people from their old homes and seri- 
ously diminishing their strength. The chiefs were alarmed and 
indignant. The Jesuits boasted that they had thus secured 200 
brave Iroquois soldiers for the French, and still had eight chapels 
in New York in 1674. To conduct these properly, they arranged 
a uniform scheme of missions in 1669. 

Fremin and Gamier went to Onondaga Aug. 26, 1669, and that 
day La Salle landed at Irondequoit bay, led there by Seneca 
reports of a great river flowing southward from them. Dollier 
and Gallinee went to the mission with him, remaining quite a 
time, and visited and described the burning spring as well as. the 
town. In September they stopped a while at the Iroquois village 
of Tinawatawa, near the extreme western end of Lake Ontario. 
That year Indian murders led to a close union between all the 
River Indians and the Iroquois. 

In 1670 the Senecas captured 100 women and children near the 
Ottawas, and exposed Iroquois cabins were attacked in turn. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 221 

This roused the Senecas, who resented a proposed French arbi- 
tration ; but Garakontie' prevailed and peace was restored. That 
eminent chief was baptized and confirmed by Bishop de Petree 
in the cathedral at Quebec that year. Governor de Courcelle was 
his godfather, and Mile Boutroiiee, daughter of the intendant, his 
godmother. After being conducted to the chateau, " at his first 
entrance he saw himself saluted by a discharge of all the cannon 
of the fort, and of all the musketry of the soldiers who were 
ranged to receive him." A banquet and speeches followed. 

Saonchiogwa was baptized soon after, being a Cayuga chief, 
friendly to the French from the first. He restored some of the 
Ottawa prisoners. Father Carheil was now in charge of the 
Cayuga mission and composed hymns and devotions in that lan- 
guage. When the town was in danger of assault by the Andastes, 
he won the hearts of all by taking his turn as sentinel. At this 
time there were Huron catechists among the Senecas, and a 
Seneca dictionary was in progress. 

Governor de Courcelle took prompt action on the murder of 
Indians in 1670, calling a council at Montreal and punishing the 
offenders before the Indians. This prevented trouble. Fie for- 
bade war between the Ottawas and Iroquois, which the Senecas 
resented. That year he ascended the river to Lake Ontario, 
alarming the Iroquois much by this simple act. At that time 
the Iroquois had to go north of that lake for beaver and carried 
it all to the Dutch. 

In 1672 peace was formally made at Albany between the Mo- 
hawks and Mahicans. The Onondagas had been quite successful 
against the Andastes ; but this year some young warriors of that 
nation totally defeated Seneca and Cayuga parties on Cayuga 
lake. In spite of their bravery, the great contest was now 
unequal and the downfall of the Andastes soon followed. 

Count Frontenac went up the St Lawrence to Lake Ontario 
in July 1673, holding a council with the Iroquois near the site 
of Kingston July 13, and founding Fort Frontenac, called Cada- 
raqui by the Onondagas and English. Garakontie' spoke, being- 
classed among the 60 influential sachems present. The next 



222 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

year Frontenac informed Colbert "that, if the principal chiefs 
had not been gained by his flatteries and presents, not a single 
Frenchman would have been left in Canada." He certainly did 
everything possible on this occasion, paying special attention to 
the women and children. 

In connection with this trip La Salle was several times at 
Onondaga that year, and Father Lamberville wrote of meeting 
him at the foot of Oneida lake Sep. 9, 1673. He there heard 
that the Dutch again held New York. Some Mohawk chiefs 
visited Governor Colve at Fort Wilhelm Hendrick May 19, 1674, 
who were from Kaghenewage' and Kanagaro. They had made 
a new treaty with the Dutch the year before. 

King Philip's war was now raging; and he is doubtfully said 
to have visited the Mohawks in 1675, but without securing their 
aid. He is also said to have murdered some of their stragglers, 
hoping it would be laid to the English ; but the trick was dis- 
covered, and the Mohawks became his worst foes. It is only 
certain that in February 1676, a party of 300 Mohawks did go 
from Albany and defeated Philip not far away. When attacked 
by the English near Deerfield Mass., his followers fled, crying, 
" Mohawks ! Mohawks ! " so great was their fear of them. 

Garakontie' died at Onondaga soon after Christmas 1675, having 
been head chief of the Onondagas and Iroquois for many years. 
He left this message : " Write to the Governor that he loses the 
best servant he has in the cantons of the Iroquois." Father 
Lamberville wrote a pathetic account of his death and burial, 
making his coffin and performing the funeral rites himself. A 
large cross marked his grave in the present town of Pompey. 
For more than a score of years he had been known as the friend 
and father of the French, both in peace and war. His brother 
took his name but not his office, serving the French in a quieter 
way and dying in 1702. The two have been confused. 

Father Hennepin came to Canada in 1675 and at once took up 
mission work, being part of the time at the Cayuga villages north 
of Lake Ontario. Fond of adventure, after a while he wanted to 
know more of the Iroquois, and said : 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 223 

I accordingly went among them with one of our soldiers from 
said fort, [Frontenac] making a journey of about seventy leagues, 
and both having large snowshoes on our feet, on account of the 
snow, which is abundant in that country during winter. I had 
some little knowledge of the Iroquois language. We then passed 
on to the Honnchiouts Iroquois, and the Honnontagez, who 
received us very well. This nation is the most warlike of all 
the Iroquois. At last we arrived at the Gannickez Agniez. This 
is one of Five Iroquois Nations, situated a good day's journey 
from the neighborhood of New Netherland. We remained some 
time among this last named nation, and were lodged with a Jesuit 
Father, born in Lyons, in order to transcribe a little Iroquois 
dictionary. 

In August 1675, Gov. Edmund Andros went to the warlike 
Indians nearly 100 miles beyond Albany and allies of the English. 
This trip was really to the farthest Mohawk town. The next 
year Andros said that King Philip's war might have been pre- 
vented had not the Boston people scorned his advice. He would 
have engaged the Mohawks and others to fall on Philip. As it 
was, he kept them from helping him. 

In 1675, also, the Senecas wished to exterminate the Susque- 
hannas, or Andastes, but the Mohawks said they were their 
brothers and children and might live with them. At this time 
powder and lead were sold only to the Iroquois. There was a 
story that they killed Canonicus, the Narragansett chief. 

There came a difficulty between the Iroquois and Maryland, 
which Andros aided in settling. That province complained of 
Seneca depredations; but Andros thought both Mohawks and 
Senecas were good friends of the English. At the time the treaty 
of 1677 was made, some Oneidas, Onondagas and Senecas had 
gone south and killed some Susquehannas, taking prisoners, not 
knowing of the peace. Part of these were restored, but there 
were many such troubles from time to time. Two commission- 
ers were sent to Albany about this and reproved the Onondagas 
and Oneidas, but thought two nations not to blame. The Cay- 
ugas made trouble, and Colden thought the French priests the 
cause. 

The Mohawks met with a serious loss in the spring of 1676. 



224 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

The wife of Kryn, often called the Great Mohawk, became a 
Christian, and he was indignant. While hunting, he came to 
La Prairie, and its peace and order impressed him much. He 
became an inquirer and convert, and at last brought a band of 
his people there in 1674; reaching there with another party on 
Easter Sunday 1676. The next year he was followed by Catha- 
rine Tegahkwita, the Iroquois saint, who died there in 1680, and 
who is still* in high repute for her virtues and austerity of life. 
In reporting his action on the treaty of 1677, Andros wrote : 

The latter end of August the Governor having sent two Chris- 
tians to the farthest nations of Indyans, and Orders to meett Coll. 
Coursey, sent as Embassadour from Maryland to treat with said 
Indyans ; the Governor went also to Albany to receive any 
addresses, or whatt they might have to say to him. Coll. 
Coursey hadd answers to his satisfaction. 

This was the famous journey of Wentworth Greenhalgh " from 
Albany to ye Indians, westward ; begun May 20th, 1677, and 
ended July ye 14 following." Its object does not appear in the 
journal, nor is the name of his companion mentioned. They 
went on horseback. The Mohawks then had four fortified towns 
and one small village. The towns were Cahaniaga, Canagora, 
Canajorha and Tionondague. In these were about 300 warriors, 
occupying 100 houses. 

The Oneidas had a town 20 (2 ?) miles from Oneida creek. In 
this fort were 100 houses and 200 warriors. The Onondagas had 
one large unwalled town of 140 houses and a village of 24 cabins 
2 miles away. The warriors numbered 350. Three unwalled 
Cayuga towns had 100 houses and 300 warriors. The Senecas 
had four unwalled towns, with 324 houses and 1000 warriors. 
The towns were Canagora, Tiotohatton, Canoenada and Keinthe ; 
but other writers give different names. 

About this time came changes in the Iroquois missions in 
Canada. The Cayuga villages near the Bay of Quinte had most 
of their mission work transferred to the island of Montreal in 
1676. Some Iroquois came from New York and some from 
Caughnawaga, forming the Mission of the Mountain the same 
year, and some Senecas arrived later. That year La Prairie 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 225 

was abandoned, and a new village grew up, ever since called 
Caughnawaga by the Indians and English. The French knew 
it as St Francois Xavier du Sault. One of the converts at La 
Prairie was an Oneida chief, called Ogeratarihen or Garon- 
hiague', who had witnessed Brebeuf's death. There were many 
Oneidas in the newer mission, which had several chiefs, dividing 
the civil and religious affairs. 

In 1677 a party of 80 Mohawks robbed some Mahicans in New 
England, and others routed some of Uncas's men. They were 
ordered not to send parties against eastern Indians, but did 
not comply. 

Dekanissora, the great Onondaga orator, began to be promi- 
nent in 1678, at that time taking his grandfather's name of 
Niregouentaron, though hardly known by this. He was speaker 
at Montreal in 1682 and spoke last at Albany in 1724. His 
appearance and abilities have been often eulogized. Colden 
said of him: 

He was grown old when I saw him, and heard him speak ; he 
had a great Fluency in speaking, and a graceful Elocution, that 
would have pleased in any part of the World. His Person was 
tall and well made, and his Features, to my thinking, resembled 
much the Busts of Cicero. 

Though long faithful to the English, for some reason Governor 
Burnet thought him in the French interest later in life. He 
ceased to be speaker and died in Canada. 

In 1678 the adventurous La Salle occupied Niagara, and 
launched the Griffon in the spring of 1679 ^ or the navigation of 
Lake Erie. It was soon wrecked. 

Beside complaints about the Senecas in Maryland, the New 
Englanders complained of the Mohawks in 1678, and hoped 
Andros might persuade them to send back their Indian captives. 
About the southern troubles, " ye oneides deemed ye first nation 
of sineques," were at first insolent, but at last they and the Onon- 
dagas promised to send no more parties. 

The Mohawks were quiet in 1680, but the Onondagas and 
Senecas continued to send bands against the Illinois in spite 
of French remonstrances. They had burned one of their towns 



226 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

and taken over 600 prisoners, mostly women and children. De 
Tonty was wounded and a Recollect friar killed. The Miamis 
feared the Iroquois so much that they got the Illinois to seek 
an accommodation. The Iroquois justified the war against the 
latter. It began 20 years before, and the vanquished Illinois left 
the country. Then the Iroquois carried on the war against the 
Andastes vigorously and subdued them. Meantime the Illinois 
returned and killed 40 Iroquois as they went to hunt beaver in the 
abandoned country. War followed, and La Salle unwisely 
increased the difficulty. The Illinois again fled, and the Iro- 
quois pursued them to the Mississippi, killing and capturing 
hundreds. They were busy elsewhere. In 1680 the Massa- 
chusetts commissioners said the Mohawks had killed or captured 
60 of their friendly Indians in three years. 

Till 1681 Onondaga had been at various places near Lime- 
stone creek, but in that year it was removed to a new site west 
of this, on Butternut creek. Though such removals were fre- 
quent, Father Lamberville's account of this one is unique. He 
said: 

On my arrival I found the Iroquois of this village occupied in 
transporting their corn, their effects and their cabins to a place 
2 leagues distant from their former residence, where they had 
dwelt for 19 years. They make this change in order to have there 
their firewood in convenient proximity, and to secure fields more 
fertile than those that were abandoned. This is not done without 
difficulty; for, inasmuch as carts are not used here, and the 
country is very hilly, the labor of the men and women, who carry 
their goods on their backs, is consequently harder and of longer 
duration. To supply the lack of horses the inhabitants of these 
forests render reciprocal aid to one another, so that a single fam- 
ily will hire sometimes 80 or 100 persons ; and these are in turn 
obliged to render the same service to those who may require it 
from them, or they are freed from the obligation by giving food 
to those whom they have employed. 

In September 1681 some Kiskakons captured a Seneca, who 
was killed by Illinois visitors in their village near Michilimacki- 
nac. This alarmed the Ottawas, who feared utter destruction 
and appealed to the French. The western Indians came to Mon- 
treal on this business in 1682, and the Iroquois were invited there. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 227 

Dekanissora said they were going to fight the Illinois but not the 
others, and Frontenac asked for a general council the next year. 
He did not favor holding this at La Famine. At a conference 
between him, the Kiskakons, Hurons and others, the Kiskakons 
were not disposed to cover the grave of Annenhac, the Seneca 
chief, which was necessary to insure peace. 

In September 1682 Dekanissora wished Frontenac to meet the 
Iroquois at Ochoueguen (Oswego), the first mention of that 
place by name, though the river was thus known earlier. This 
was refused. Farther west the Iroquois plundered some French 
canoes. Father Lamberville wrote from Onondaga Sep. 22 that 
Dekanissora " loves the French; but neither he nor any other of 
the Upper Iroquois fears them in the least, and they are all ready 
to pounce upon Canada on the first provocation." They were 
gaining men. " They have reinforced themselves during this and 
the preceding year by more than Nine hundred warriors." La 
Salle now abandoned Fort Frontenac, but it was soon occupied 
again. 

That year a peace treaty was made at Albany between the Iro- 
quois and Maryland. The commissioner said the leader of the 
depredating party was certainly an Onondaga. The Onondagas 
replied that both leaders were killed, but made satisfaction. 

Chapter 11 

De la Barre at La Famine. Onondaga speaker there. Governor Dongan 
and Susquehanna lands. Iroquois captives for French galleys. Influ- 
ence of Iroquois. Lamberville. English traders go west. De Non- 
ville's treachery. Destruction of Seneca towns. Post at Niagara. 
Illinois subdued. Plan for destroying Iroquois. Hotreouate' and 
Adario. Embassy surprised. Bloody war. Capture of Milet. Iroquois 
depredations. Return of Frontenac. Schenectady destroyed. English 
at the Onondaga council. Blacksmiths. 

Count Frontenac was replaced by Governor de la Barre in 

1682, and the latter was instructed to invade the Iroquois country 

if advisable, and prevent their attacking the Illinois and others. 

Hence came his disastrous attempt two years later. In May 

1683 it was reported that 500 Iroquois had gone west to attack 

the Ottawas and seize Michilimackinac. They were to be joined 

by 300 others, but found the post too strong. That year the 



228 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Senecas reinforced themselves with 150 prisoners and hoped for 
more by a war in Virginia. Though all looked warlike, an Iro- 
quois delegation of 43 chiefs came to Montreal in August, when 
the Senecas said the Illinois must die, and De la Barre was silent. 
The missionaries began to leave the New York towns. Fremin, 
Pierron and Gamier retired in 1683 ; Carheil was driven from 
Cayuga in 1684; Milet left Oneida the same year; and Jean de 
Lamberville alone remained at Onondaga, doing good work for 
the French, for his influence was great. 

War with the Senecas seemed imminent in 1684. De la Barre 
seized a Seneca deputy and his attendants, and made great prepa- 
rations for subduing that nation, they having captured French 
trading boats. Garakontie' 2 spoke at Onondaga, turning the 
musket against the Shawnees, but the French might protect the 
Miamis if they would. Hotreouate', otherwise La Grande Gueule, 
or Grangula, favored the French, who made him many presents. 
The great Cayuga chief, Oreaouhe', was going to Montreal to talk 
matters over. 

De la Barre took nearly 900 men up the river, most of them 
going as far as La Famine, and there and at Fort Frontenac 
many became sick. A few Onondagas came to meet him; and 
there occurred his famous conference with Hotreouate', called 
Grangula by La Hontan and Garangula by Colden, both corrup- 
tions of his French name of La Grande Gueule, or Big Mouth. 
This may have come from his oratory or his love of good living. 
Jean de Lamberville said he had " the strongest head and loudest 
voice among the Iroquois." M. de Meulles called him a " syco- 
phant who seeks merely a good dinner," but added that he 
" fooled the General in a most shameful manner." La Hontan, 
who was present and whose account agrees with all the circum- 
stances, gives us a favorable impression. De la Barre was at 
one end of the hollow square, the chief and his followers at the 
other, the French opening the council with a speech. La Hon- 
tan said : 

While Mr de la Barre's interpreter pronounced this harangue, 
the Grangula did nothing, but looked upon the end of his pipe. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 229 

After the speech was finished, he rose, and having took five or 
six turns in the ring that the French and the savages made, he 
returned to his place, and standing upright, spoke after the fol- 
lowing manner to the General, who sat in his chair of state. 

Then followed that strain of dignified sarcasm which has never 
been surpassed. He knew the condition of the French, and it 
was idle to say so many soldiers were on an errand of peace. 
Sickness had fortunately saved their lives. The sun had not dried 
up the swamps which made the Iroquois towns inaccessible to 
the French. " Our Children and old Men had carried their Bows 
and Arrows into the Heart of your Camp, if our Warriors had 
not disarmed them and kept them back." They had plundered 
the French who carried warlike munitions to their foes. It was 
a proper act of self-defense, but " Our Warriors have not Beavers 
enough to pay for all these Arms that they have taken, and our 
old Men are not afraid of the War." They would trade with 
whom they chose. " We are born free, we neither depend on 
Onnondio or Corlaer. We may go where we please, and carry 
with us whom we please, and buy and sell what we please. If 
your Allies be your Slaves, use them as such." 

De la Barre was enraged but powerless ; and Colden said that 
this great expedition " ended in a Scold between the French 
General and an old Indian." The Illinois were abandoned to 
their fate, and the French army ingloriously returned. 

Governor Dongan was already in New York and had some- 
thing to say on these affairs, though not always wisely; and 
Arnold Viele, his deputy at Onondaga, offended the chiefs by his 
words. He put the king's arms on all the Iroquois castles and 
the French said he promised them "aid. Governor Dongan did 
another effective but doubtful thing, persuading the Onondagas 
and Cayugas to place their Susquehanna lands under the king's 
protection, lest Penn's agents should secure them. They said 
that by conquest these lands belonged to them alone and they 
fastened them to New York. Acting ostensibly for the public 
good and against Penn, he yet wrote to him Oct. 22, 1683 : 

All business here goes on to great Satisfaction ; the Sesque- 
hannok River is given me by the Indians by a second gift, about 



230 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

which you and I shall not fall out; I desire we may Joyne heart- 
ily together to advance the Interest of my Master and your good 
Friend; I expect to hear from you, how you would have me 
proceed. 

Jan. 13, 1696, for £100 he granted the Indian lands on the Sus- 
quehanna to William Penn, " which the said Thos. Dongan lately 
purchased of, or had given to him by the Sennica Susquehanah 
Indians." 

One feature of De la Barre's mission should not be overlooked, 
as it was acted on later. In writing to him about the proposed 
war in 1684, Louis 14 said : 

As it tends to the good of my servants to diminish, as much as 
possible the numbers of the Iroquois, and moreover, as these 
savages, who are very strong and robust, will serve usefully in 
my galleys, I will that you do everything in your power to make 
a great number of them prisoners of war, and have them em- 
barked by every opportunity that will offer, in order that they 
be conveyed to France. 

Throughout this affair the Senecas had been defiant and all 
the Iroquois had carried their points. The result was that, after 
De la Barre's return, 40 Onondagas went at once against the 
Illinois. They had told him that " the entire Iroquois nation 
reserved to itself the power of waging war against the Illinois, 
as long as a single one of them should remain on earth." De la 
Barre had already complained of the attack on Fort St Louis in 
Illinois in the spring and of the plundering of French canoes, 
but without avail. 

King Louis was displeased at De la Barre's abandonment of 
the Illinois and sent De Nonville to take his place in 1685. He 
was to aid the Illinois and humble the Iroquois. A new trouble 
came. For purposes of trade both the English and Iroquois 
were desirous of an alliance with the Ottawas. A French soldier 
saw 11 English trading canoes going west, guided by French 
deserters. They reached the Ottawas that year for the first time, 
crossing Lake Erie to do so. Desertions of French soldiers were 
frequent, and about that time the Onondagas sent back five who 
had come there from Fort Frontenac. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 23 1 

At Albany Aug. 2, 1684, the Onondagas and Cayugas made 
proposals to Governor Howard of Virginia and Governor Dongan. 
They called the former by a name derived from his own, Asha- 
regowa, or Big Knife. As provinces, Virginia was Aragiske, and 
Maryland, Jaquokranaegare. To the Duke of York they gave 
sovereignty over their Susquehanna lands above Washinta or the 
falls. They said: 

Wee have putt all our land and our selfs under the Protection of 
the great Duke of York, the brother of your great Sachim; We 
have given the Susquehanne River which we wonn with the 
sword to this Government and desire that it may be a branch of 
that great tree that grows here. 

In 1686 the Iroquois were still seeking the Ottawa alliance as 

agents for English traders. Governor Dongan had a sense of 

Iroquois importance : 

The five Indian Nations are the most warlike people in 
America, & a bulwark between us & the French & all other 
Indians. . . All the Indians in these parts of America are 
Tributareys to them. 

Colden said of the tribute paid them : 

Two old Men commonly go about every Year or two, to receive 
this Tribute ; and I have often had Opportunity to observe what 
Anxiety the poor Indians were under, while these two old Men 
remained in that Part of the Country where I was. An old 
Mohawk Sachem, in a poor Blanket and a dirty Shirt, may be 
seen issuing his Orders with as arbitrary an Authority, as a 
Roman Dictator. 

Regarding the proposed intercourse with the Ottawas, Charle- 
voix said : " Nothing was fraught with greater danger than this 
opening of trade between New York and the nations whom we 
had till now regarded as our most faithful allies." Father Lam- 
berville had been away from Onondaga for a short time, and De 
Nonville sent him back with presents. It was high time, for 
Governor Dongan's men had been busy and the Onondagas were 
suspicious and angry. Charlevoix said : 

His presence in a moment changed the face of affairs. He 
spoke to the chiefs with that frankness and that insinuating man- 
ner that had won him the esteem and affection of that nation ; 
he dispelled almost all the suspicions that had been instilled into 
them. 



232 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

In that year 20 English trading canoes passed Oswego Falls, 
going west, and 200 Senecas went against the Miamis. There 
was a good deal of spicy correspondence between Dongan and 
De Nonville. In 1686 the latter wrote: "Think you, Sir, that 
Religion will make any progress whilst your Merchants will 
supply, as they do, Eau de Vie in abundance? " To which Dongan 
replied : " Certainly our Rum doth as little hurt as your Brandy, 
and in the opinion of Christians is much more wholesome." So 
both gave the Indians all they wanted. 

All this time De Nonville regarded war as certain and prepared 
for it more prudently than honorably. The details of his treach- 
ery are somewhat confused, but that they were disreputable, 
there is no question. He employed Father Jean de Lamberville 
to draw the Iroquois chiefs to Fort Frontenac, intending to hold 
them prisoners, as he did, but said, " the poor Father, however, 
knows nothing of our designs," and left him to his fate. The 
Onondagas were more merciful. Knowing that he was incapable 
of such treachery, the chiefs and old men came quietly to him, 
told him of the situation and their opinion, and sent him away, 
safely guarded, to the French, fearing the violence of the young 
men. Charlevoix ascribed this considerate act to Garakontie' 2. 

The Iroquois chiefs visited the Cayuga towns west of Fort 
Frontenac before coming there, and 60 men were seized and 
imprisoned at the fort. According to La Hontan, they were ill- 
treated and had much sympathy from the French. De Nonville 
sent 13 of them to France as galley slaves, following the advice 
given to De la Barre; but King Louis returned them, sending 
Count Frontenac as governor, and the latter may have showed 
him that the act was impolitic. Oreaoue' and another Cayuga 
chief were captured on the St Lawrence before this, but the 
former came back with Frontenac and became so attached to 
him that he took the French side in council and field. 

De Nonville followed the southern shore . of Lake Ontario 
unopposed, his large army being in boats. Among others, he 
had 100 Iroquois of the Sault and of the Mountain with him. 
Garonhiague' led the former, and Tegaretwan the latter, both 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 233 

being killed in this campaign. Kryn, the Great Mohawk, was 
with them. Most of these Iroquois would not fight against their 
eastern kindred, but had no scruples about the distant Senecas. 

De Nonville landed at Irondequoit bay and finished a large 
fort there, July 12, 1687, leaving a guard of 440 men. On the 
13th the army marched toward the Seneca towns, with an Ottawa 
reinforcement. Two defiles were safely passed, but in the third, 
near the present village of Victor, part of the army was sur- 
prised by 800 Senecas. Both sides had considerable loss, but 
the Senecas left the field and abandoned their towns. The Can- 
adian Iroquois fought well in this engagement, but the western 
Indians not only showed cowardice but feasted on their dead 
enemies. 

Next day a large village was entered, most of which had been 

burned, and others in the same condition were visited afterward. 

Formal possession was taken of four towns and one small fort. 

These were Totiakton, Gannagaro, Gannondata, and Gannon- 

garae, with the small fort. Mr O. H. Marshall published maps 

of the march, and the town sites are well identified. De Nonville 

took possession of the villages and also 

All the lands in their vicinity as many and how far soever 
they may extend, conquered in His Majesty's name, and to that 
end has planted in all the said Villages and Forts His said 
Majesty's Arms, and has caused to be proclaimed in loud voice, 
Vive le Roi. 

A vast quantity of grain was destroyed, with many hogs. On 
the return the stockade was burned, and the army went on to 
Niagara. There a fort was built, garrisoned by 100 men, which 
was abandoned the next year. The army returned by the north 
shore of the lake, usually thought safest, but the south shore 
had been followed in going, as all the Iroquois villages were 
thus threatened. 

These things alarmed the Iroquois, and the Onondagas wanted 
cannon for their fort; but the English thought these useless, 
and they were not furnished. In November the English king 
formally received the Iroquois as his subjects, and hostilities 
against them were forbidden. They probably thought this a 



2 34 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

mere alliance and treated it as such. At the same time the 
return of the Indians in France was demanded. 

Hostilities had gone on in the west, where the Iroquois had 
subdued the Illinois after a six years war. They now turned 
against the Twightwees, or Miamis, who interfered with their 
beaver hunting. In 1687 the English gave them a barrel of 
powder to aid them in this war. 

In 1688 the Iroquois attacked the Mission of the Mountain, 
killing Haratsion, its chief. Then the French Iroquois began to 
waver and surrendered their prisoners, 50 of their own men also 
returning to the New York towns. Kryn stood fast and was able 
to turn back a Mohawk war party which he met. At this time 
the Mohawks advised Dongan to build two forts, one at Cayon- 
hage, at the mouth of Salmon river, and the other at Onjadarakte, 
now Ticonderoga, both customary landing places. 

A shrewd plan was proposed in Canada for destroying the 
Iroquois. A party should go against the Mohawks by way of 
Lake Champlain, while another went by way of Cayonhage or 
La Famine, thence to Oneida river, where Tethiroguen would be 
destroyed, and Touenho a little farther south. Onondaga was 
next to be taken, where the French would winter, and proceed 
to destroy Cayuga in the spring and return. The party on the 
Mohawk would also destroy the Oneidas. The plan ignored 
English interference and was not tried. 

In 1688 a convoy of canoes was surprised near Fort Frontenac 
by 25 or 30 Iroquois, and 17 canoes were destroyed. In June 
of that year the great Onondaga chief Hotreouate', or La Grande 
Gueule, visited Montreal, making several speeches. and a decla- 
ration of neutrality, but obliged the French to give up their allies 
to their fate. At that time Charlevoix called him by another 
name. He said: 

When they arrived near Cataracouy, Haaskouan, one of the 
deputies, called in French la Grande Gueule, advanced from the 
party, entered the fort, and asked the commandant for one of 
his officers to accompany him to Montreal. 

The request was granted, but the officer was surprised to find 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 235 

himself in the midst of 500 Onondagas*- Just afterward, he gave 
the French another great fright by way of a joke. At Lake St 
Francis they met another party, and then the deputies went on 
alone. Charlevoix said that Haaskouan was speaker and a 
Seneca, but that Hotreouate', the Onondaga, was meant is very 
clear. His address alarmed the French, and he gave them four 
days to answer. He was expected again at Montreal, but had 
not come Oct. 10, nor did he again appear. He may have been 
in the peace embassy attacked by the Huron chief, the Rat, other- 
wise known as Adario or Kondiaronk, to whom De Nonville had 
promised that the war should go on till the Iroquois were 
destroyed. While on the warpath, he heard that Onondaga 
deputies were on their way to conclude peace. He at once 
waylaid them at La Famine, killed one, seized the rest and then 
pretended that he did this by advice of the French. They readily 
believed this of De Nonville. All were set free with apologies, 
but one whom he reserved for adoption. This one he gave to 
the French at Michilimackinac, and they shot him, as he 
intended. 

The Iroquois were roused to fury, and the bloody war of 1689 
followed. There would now be no peace till their friends were 
sent back from the galleys. Fort Frontenac was invested by 900 
Iroquois, but they failed to take it. Father Milet was captured 
there and carried to Oneida, where he was afterward adopted and 
became a principal chief. He was long a subject of controversy 
with the English, who wished to hold him. The simple song 
which his captors made him sing on the road has a pathetic tone : 
" Ongienda kehasakehoua ! I have been taken by my children ! " 
One of his names at this time was Genherontatie', The Dying 
One who marches. 

From Fort Frontenac the Iroquois went to Montreal, killing 
or capturing 300 or 400 there. In one of these raids 200 French 
were killed in an hour, and in August 1500 Iroquois came and did 
all the damage they pleased, landing at Lachine in a storm, and 
burning and killing for two days without opposition. In Novem- 
ber 150 returned to the island of Montreal, killing many and 



236 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

taking a small fort. A party of 22 Iroquois was destroyed, but 
one escaping. It must be remembered that the fears of the 
French exaggerated their numbers, but all were in the utmost 
terror when Frontenac came back from France in October 1689. 
The old man had not lost all his youthful energy, and the French 
took courage. He brought back the Indian prisoners, and this 
and the smallpox restrained the Iroquois incursions. The cap- 
ture of Schenectady followed ; and in this expedition the French 
lost 21 men. Kryn commanded 80 French Iroquois in this. He 
was killed in June 1690, his party being mistaken for enemies 
by some of the Abenaquiois. It had been hoped that he would 
draw all the Mohawks to Canada. 

This year the Albany people sent six men, with three teams of 
horses, to aid the Mohawks in rebuilding one of their castles a 
mile farther up the river. 

Colden said that the Leisler troubles and the change of gov- 
ernment caused remarks among the Iroquois. The Mohawks 
said: 

We hear that a Dutch Prince reigns now in England, why do 
you suffer the English Soldiers to remain in the Fort? put all the 
English out of the Town. When the Dutch held this Country 
long ago, we lay in their Houses ; but the English have always 
made us lie without Doors. 

Colden and Smith both described a council at Onondaga almost 
unnoticed in other colonial records. There had been a previous 
one at Albany, September 1689, in which the Five Nations con- 
ferred with delegates from New England, who wished their aid 
against some eastern Indians. They replied, " We can not 
declare War against the Eastern Indians, for they have done us 
no Harm." At this time they told the English that 140 Iroquois 
were scouting along Canada, and nothing would escape their 
notice. Dec. 27, 1689, messengers came to say that three of the 
released prisoners were at Onondaga, with proposals from Can- 
ada, and they wished the mayor of Albany, Peter Schuyler and 
others, to come there to a council. The magistrates sent a Mo- 
hawk chief, the interpreter and another person, but, unwisely, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 237 

* no Person of Note, that had any Influence on the Indians, 
went." 

This council met at Onondaga, Jan. 22, 1690, with 80 sachems 
present, Sadekanaghtie' presiding. Frontenac notified them of 
his return with 13 Indians who had been carried to France. 
Adarahta, chief -sachem of the French Iroquois, spoke on three 
belts, and others, followed. The Seneca chief, Cannehoot, gave 
an account of negotiations with western Indians, who gave " a 
red Marble Sun as large as a Plate," and " a large Pipe of red 
Marble." 

After the Seneca Speaker had done, the Wagunha Presents 
were hung up in the House, in the Sight of the whole Assembly, 
and afterwards distributed among the several Nations, and their 
Acceptance was a Ratification of the Treaty. A large Belt was 
given also to the Albany Messengers as their Share. The Belt 
of Wampum sent from Albany was in like Manner hanged up, 
and afterwards divided. New-England, which the Indians call 
Kinshon, (that is a Fish) sent likewise the Model of a Fish, as a 
token of their adhering to the general Covenant. This Fish 
was handed round among the Sachems, and then laid aside to 
be put up. 

They rejected the French alliance, but would not give up Milet 
to the English. " The Indians were resolved to keep all the 
Means of making Peace in their own Hands," and Milet had a 
choice of masters. 

About this time mention was made of the settlement of some 
Mahicans at Schaghticoke, nearly 20 years earlier; according to 
Colden in 1672. Now, too, it became customary to send black- 
smiths to the Iroquois towns, and references to this are frequent. 
This led to amusing disputes, for it was a matter of political 
importance whether these smiths were French or English. 

Chapter 12 

Failure of expedition against Canada. Agents at Onondaga. Proposed 
English missionaries. Iroquois losses. Oreaoue' and Black Kettle. 
Mohawk towns captured. Governor Fletcher. Council at Albany. 
Dekanissora in Canada. Fort Frontenac restored. Colonial congress 
at Albany. Delawares and Iroquois. Western Indians hostile. War 
with the French. Invasion of Onondaga. Old Indian tortured. Fron- 
tenac's conduct. Some Oneidas remove to Canada. 

In 1690 the English made a serious attempt on Canada by way 

of the St Lawrence and Lake Champlain, both expeditions failing. 



238 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

At Lake George the Iroquois made elm bark canoes, in which the 
English were afraid to embark, and, when smallpox broke out, 
the expedition was abandoned. In November a commission was 
given to "Aernout Cornelisse Viele, resident agent among the 
Indians at their court of Onondaga ; Gerrit Luycasse to act as 
agent till Viele arrives." Chevalier d'Eau had been sent there in 
June with four Frenchmen and four Indians, to draw the Iro- 
quois to the French interest, and the English asked to have them 
sent to Albany. On this 

The 5 Nacons being met by their chieftnes together at Onon- 
dague aforesaid, (which is their Court) Seized them and bound 
them instantly, despoyling them of all their Money, Presents, & 
what they had, presenting them to the Sinneks, Coiegues, 
Oneydes, and Macquaes, each one of the French men to be treated 
in their Barbarous manner. 

D'Eau was given to the English. From New York he was 
taken to Boston and allowed to escape. In Canada fighting went 
on in the island of Montreal, and the French said " there was 
no security anywhere." Famine naturally followed. 

The New York Indian agents saw advantages gained by the 

French missionaries, which were not of a religious nature, and 

wished to send 

Some young divines to undertake to instruct the Indians 
especially ye Maquase in the true Protestant Religion since divers 
had an inclination to itt One being by the great pains and indus- 
try of Our Minister Dom : Dellius brought soe far yt he made 
his publick confession in the Church at Albany to every body's 
admiration and was baptized accordingly. 

Governor Sloughter had a conference with the Five Nations at 
Albany in 1691. They said: "We did formerly desire, that we 
might have a Smith at Onnondaga, whereupon a young Man that 
was a Smith by Trade, was sent us, and we gave him 20 Beaver 
for his encouragement to stay, but is gone away ; again * we 
request that we may have a Smith there." 

The Mohawks resented English inactivity and before the con- 
ference sent messengers to Canada. A Mohawk brought news 
from Canada that there was "a designe to goe out and fight 
against Onnondage and 30 praying Indians were ready to goe out 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 239 

the next day to annoy the Onnondages." Frontenac had said to 
the Indians that he would gather a large force against the Iro- 
quois, " and fall upon them vizt first on the Sennekaes and then 
on the Cayouges, Onnondages, and Oneydoes and passe by the 
Maquaes and soe come down and fall on the Christians at 
Albany." Governor Sloughter said, if Albany " be lost our 
Indians are lost, and if the French get them they certainly get 
all America." 

An expedition against Canada, in which the Iroquois were to 
aid, was arranged. The third Mohawk castle, mourning the 
death of its chief sachem, Tahaiodoris, forgot its quota of men, 
but would send 74. The first two castles were ready. Major 
Schuyler headed this party of 300 Mohawks and 150 English, 
having moderate success. When he attacked a party on his 
retreat, the Schaghticoke Indians did not behave well, but " the 
Mohawks, upon no Occasion, yielded an Inch of Ground, till 
the English first gave Way." 

That year the principal captains of the Mohawks and Oneidas 
were all killed. For a winter march the Senecas were making 
snowshoes between Onondaga and the St Lawrence in Decem- 
ber. Others went down the river in November, 800 landing on 
the island of Montreal and burning many houses. Fort Fron- 
tenac had gone to decay, the villages were defenseless, the French 
melted leaden gutters and weights for bullets, and the Iroquois 
made obstinate attacks. Quite a battle occurred with the Onei- 
das near Montreal, in which Oreaoue', the Cayuga chief, took 
part on the French side. The Oneidas were surprised in a house, 
which was set on fire, and most of them perished. Three prison- 
ers were burned by French farmers who had lost relatives. Hos- 
tilities were incessant. The Mohawks carried off some Caughna- 
wagas and attacked the village of the Mountain, killing Tondi- 
haron, the chief, and capturing 35 women and children. That 
year the Iroquois cast the French war belt on the ground. 
While the Mohawks were successful, the western Indians 
harassed the Senecas. 

Oreaoue' was now zealous for the French, making prisoners 



24O NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

of his own friends, and Frontenac did not hesitate to have these 
tortured. All wanted the Cayuga chief as a leader, and he was 
constantly on the warpath. On the St Lawrence 38 Frenchmen 
surprised an Iroquois party, some of whom escaped, returning 
with aid and killing half the French. The following winter 40 
Mohawks attacked Fort Vercheres, carrying off 20 people. They 
were pursued, and most of the captives were recovered. Mile 
de Vercheres successfully defended the fort, as her mother had 
done two years before. 

There were Canadian successes. In February 1692, a party 
of 120 French and 205 Indians attacked 50 Iroquois at Toniata, 
killing 24 and taking 16. In May a French and Indian party 
was defeated at the Long Sault of the Ottawa with much loss; 
but the victors were beaten in turn, and the captives recovered. 
Two large Iroquois parties in October did nothing. In Novem- 
ber 400 Iroquois came down the St Lawrence, appearing in sight 
of Montreal, while 400 came by way of Lake Champlain. They 
did but little damage. M. Beaucour marched 300 men to attack 
the Iroquois near Niagara, 80 of whom fought him, losing most 
of their number. 

Kanadgegai, or Black Kettle, a noted Onondaga chief, headed 
the party at the Long Sault, and made another dash July 15, 
taking some prisoners. There was fighting on the Ottawa, and 
the Iroquois alone kept Canada in constant alarm. Charlevoix 
said that Black Kettle overran the country " as a Torrent does 
the Low-lands, when it overflows its banks, and there is no 
withstanding it. The Soldiers had Orders to stand upon the 
defensive within their Forts." This year his wife was killed 
while trying to escape from a mission town in Canada. In this 
warfare the Mohawks had lost 90 men in two years, leaving 
them but 130, and the French Iroquois 60 men in 7 years. 

In June 1692 the Iroquois renewed the covenant with the Eng- 
lish, now under Captain Ingoldsby, desiring that the important 
blacksmith's anvil might be retained at Onondaga and a smith 
live there. The Indians did most of the fighting; and, when 
Ingoldsby reproved them for their carelessness, they replied : 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 24 L 

" Let us not reproach one another, such Words do not savour 
well among Friends." Of one present they said : 

We return you Thanks for the Powder and Lead given us; 
but what shall we do without Guns, shall we throw them at the 
Enemy? We doubt they will not hurt them so. Before this we 
always had Guns given us. It is no Wonder the Governor of 
Canada gains upon us, for he supplies his Indians with Guns as 
well as Powder; he supplies them plentifully with every Thing 
that can hurt us. 

In January 1693 a party of 625 men left Montreal to attack the 
Mohawks, effecting a complete surprise and bringing away 200 
prisoners, most of whom escaped on the return march. Nearly 
a score of Mohawks were killed in this inroad. The French 
party passed Schenectady Feb. 8, and the alarm was given there, 
but no word was sent to the Mohawks. Two of their forts were 
quickly taken. In the third and largest a war party prepared to 
go out next day, and in the noise of the war dance the French 
surprised them and killed many. The invaders became per- 
fectly destitute and would have been destroyed had the pursuit 
continued. In this retreat there was some fighting, both parties 
making rude forts in the woods, and both suffering for lack of 
food. Colden said : " The French designed to have put them all 
to the Sword, but their own Indians would not suffer it, and gave 
Quarter. They took three hundred Prisoners, of whom one 
hundred were fighting Men." Major Schuyler went to the aid 
of the indignant Mohawks, and most of the prisoners were recov- 
ered. Colden said : 

The Indians eat the Bodies of the French that they found. 
Coll. Schuyler (as he told me himself) going among the Indians 
at that Time, was invited to eat Broth with them, which some 
of them had already boiled, which he did, till they, putting the 
Ladle into the Kettle to take out more, brought out a French 
Man's Hand, which put an end to his Appetite. 

He elsewhere speaks of the indifference as to food : 

A Mohawk Sachem told me with a Kind of Pride, that a Man 
eats every Thing without Distinction, Bears, Cats, Dogs, Snakes, 
Frogs, &c, intimating, that it is Womanish to have any Delicacy 
in the Choice of Food. 



242 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

That year the Oneidas sent Tareha to Canada with peace belts, 
to arrange an exchange of prisoners. At the end of Lake St 
Louis were 800 Iroquois, but they did no harm. It was about 
this time that St Michel escaped from Onondaga, where prepa- 
rations to burn him were being made. He said that but few 
desired peace, and that the English had built a strong fort there, 
which had eight bastions and three rows of pickets. 

Though the Oneidas generally favored the French, it was noted 
this year that Odongaowa, the long (great) Oneida, the par- 
ticular friend of Father Milet, was now on the English side. 
That year many were killed near the Onondaga and Mohawk 
castles, and the enemy even tied a bunch of reeds to the door of 
a Mohawk fort. In May the Virginia and Maryland Indians 
asked Governor Fletcher "to persuade the Senecas from doing 
them any harm in their hunting," as they had done. 

Governor Fletcher had a conference with the Five Nations at 
Albany in July 1693. They called him Cayenquirago, or Great 
Swift Arrow, in allusion to his name and the speed with which 
he came to their aid. At this time he made them quite a present. 
Colden remarked on this : 

The King usually sends them a considerable Present with every 
new Governor of New York, which is not always applied as it is 
designed. If this Present had been made sooner, it had been of 
much more Use to the English, as well as to the Five Nations. 

Dirck Wessel attended a council at Onondaga in August and 
tried to get possession of Father Milet, but failed. Aquadaronde, 
chief sachem of Onondaga, was sick, but was brought into the 
council by four men. This title seems equivalent to that of Ato- 
tarho, his successor having the same, as well as the council name 
of the Onondagas. 

In February 1694 a council was held in the street and city 
hall at Albany. The Onondaga chief could not be present, being 
sick, which Colden thought a convenient excuse. He was almost 
helpless the preceding summer, and, when this Albany council 
was proposed, " the Onnondages replyed, no, let us send for 
Quider hither with the Maquaes, since Kagueendaronda is not 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 243 

fit to travail." There was no important business beyond a rela- 
tion of what the Oneidas had done. News came that the Shaw- 
nees and others were coming for a treaty, but they did not appear. 
Dekanissora was speaker at this time and for many years after. 
Two Onondagas went to Montreal to see if Iroquois deputies 
would be well received, but these did not follow at once. The 
two were Torskin, nephew of Hotreouate'", and a son of Garioye', 
an Iroquois of the Sault. Dekanissora and two chiefs of each 
nation came to Quebec in May and were well received. They 
proposed peace. Frontenac had publicly kicked away the Iro- 
quois belts before, but was more gracious in private and after- 
ward. The Onondaga speaker was a favorite, and his speech 
was recorded, with the summing up already given. They 
returned home in June but were recalled. 

All were every Day, while they staid in the Place, entertained 
at the Governor's Table, or at the Tables of the most consider- 
able Officers. Decanesora on his Side made a good Appearance, 
being cloathed in Scarlet, trim'd with Gold, and with a laced Bever 
Hat on his Head, which had been given him by Colonel Fletcher. 

Colden notes also that he spoke to the Praying Indians of 
Canada, called Jernaistes : " First to those of Cahnawaga, 
(chiefly Mohawks) . . . then to the other castle called 
Canassadaga, (chiefly Onondagas)/' 

Fort Frontenac was now restored, though the place was 
unhealthy, 87 out of 100 men having died there in a year. In 
October Father Milet was released, but some Oneida deputies 
who followed were not well received. Oreaoue' brought some 
friendly Cayuga and Seneca chiefs there and did wonders for 
the French, both in peace and war. 

All these things alarmed the English. Governor Fletcher 
wrote to the other colonies, telling them there was no safety 
but in united effort and calling a council at Albany in August, 
in which Colden says New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and 
Massachusetts were represented. According to him, Dekanissora 
sang a song of peace at the opening, and Rode the Mohawk and 
Sadakanahtie the Onondaga spoke. 



244 NE W YORK STATE MUSEUM 

In 1694 the Delawares definitely appear in Iroquois history, 
having long been subject to them in a quiet way. The time 
came afterward when they did not like this, and said they were 
deceived by the Iroquois when persuaded to become women and 
thus peacemakers. Heckewelder says of this office : " It must 
be understood that among these nations wars are never brought 
to an end but by the interference of the weaker sex." Then he 
tells the story invented by them, on which Albert Gallatin 
remarked : " The tale suggested by the vanity of the Delawares, 
and in which the venerable Heckewelder placed implicit faith, 
that this treaty was a voluntary act on the part of the Delawares, 
is too incredible to require a serious discussion." Heckewelder 
gives the speech and acts supposed to have been used in making 
the Delawares women, which may be compared with the historic 
ceremony of restoring their rights. The speech had three parts : 

The first was, that they declared the Delaware nation to be 
the woman in the following words : " We dress you in a woman's 
long habit, reaching down to your feet, and adorn you with ear- 
rings " ; meaning that they should no more take up arms. The 
second point was thus expressed : " We hang a calabash filled 
with oil and medicine upon your arm. With the oil you shall 
cleanse the ears of the other nations, that they may attend to 
good and not to bad words, and with the medicine you shall 
heal those who are walking in foolish ways, that they may return 
to their senses and incline their hearts to peace." The third 
point, by which the Delawares were exhorted to make agriculture 
their future employ and means of subsistence, was thus worded : 
" We deliver into your hands a plant of Indian corn and a hoe." 
Each of these points was confirmed by delivering a belt of wam- 
pum, and these belts have been carefully laid up, and their mean- 
ing frequently repeated. The Iroquois, on the contrary, assert 
that they conquered the Delawares, and that the latter were 
forced to adopt the defenceless state and appellation of a ivoman 
to avoid total ruin. 

What the Delawares' earlier statement really was appears in 
a conference held with them in Philadelphia July 6, 1694. A 
belt was produced by them, sent, they said 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 245 

By the Onondages & Senekaes, who say, you delaware Indians 
doe nothing but stay att home & boill yor potts, and are like 
women, while wee Onondages & Senekaes goe abroad & fight 
agt the enemie. The Senekaes wold have us delaware Indians 
to be ptners wt you to fight agt ye french, But we have always 
been a peaceable people, & resolving to live so, & being but week 
and verie few in number, can not assist you ; & having resolved 
among ourselves not to goe, doe intend to send back this their 
belt of Wampum. 

In 1695, as he had said before, Louis 14 did not think it proper 
to continue the reward of 10 silver e'cus (each 60 sous) for 
every Iroquois killed, nor the 20 e' cus for every male Iroquois 
prisoner. It cost too much. 

A messenger informed the French that the only Dutchman 
then at Onondaga was Peter Schuyler's brother. War parties 
went out against the English from Canada, and the Iroquois 
had a party watching the Grand river for western Indians. 
Against the Miamis 200 Senecas and Cayugas were gone, and 
100 against the Andastes, as reported ; probably some other 
southern Indians. They threatened to devour the Miamis, that 
they might unite the whole earth, but the lake tribes they would 
not strike. The French persuaded all but the Hurons to make 
war on them, though they did not wish to do this. A Sioux 
chief afterward laid 22 arrows on a beaver robe before Fron- 
tenac, weeping and naming a village for each which asked his 
protection. 

The Outagamis had spared some Iroquois prisoners, the bet- 
ter to negotiate. Fearing the Sioux would seize their village, 
they left it to settle by the Wabash river, where they could unite 
with the Iroquois and English. Others would join them. 
Some Hurons, led by a chief called the Baron and with the con- 
sent of the nations about Michilimackinac, went to the Senecas 
with 14 peace belts, but most western nations joined Frontenac. 

Peace negotiations had continued till April, when a cruel war 
recommenced with much loss to the French. An Iroquois party 
was defeated on Lake Champlain with mutual loss. Word came 
that the Hurons, Ottawas, Foxes and Maskoutins proposed 



246 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

joining the Iroquois, and it seemed necessary to strike that 
people. Frontenac held a council with the Ottawas July 18, 
and others followed. They had made peace with the Iroquois, 
but they were induced to break this, and they treacherously 
attacked and defeated one of their parties. Some of the pris- 
oners were Hurons, but the French no longer feared peace 
between the Iroquois and Ottawas. Some of the latter were 
recalled by Frontenac to roast and eat an Iroquois prisoner, 
but he died before they could torture him, so they cut off his 
head for a feast and departed. 

Speaking of some depredations below Montreal this year, it 
was said, " These blows were struck by some Mohawks and 
Oneidas, as we discover by their tomahawks, which they left 
sticking in the ground, according to their custom." There are 
many references to this. 

In Aquendara's speech at Onondaga in 1695, he commented 
severely on European pretensions, and said : 

We, warriors, are the first and the ancient people, and the 
greatest of you all. These parts and countries were all inhabited 
and trod upon by us, the warriors, before any Christian. (Then 
stamping hard with his foot on the ground, he said) We shall 
not suffer Cadaracqui to be inhabited again. 

All that summer 700 men were repairing that fort, preparing 
for the coming year. In 1696 a plan to attack the Mohawks was 
given up, the snow being very deep in the woods and 7 feet of 
snow everywhere between Montreal and the fort, a thing never 
before known. This only retarded hostilities. The great war 
kettle was set over by Frontenac, humanity was to be laid aside, 
and the Onondagas to be first subdued as most mutinous of all. 

Just before this, the Iroquois had sent deputies to conclude 
peace with the five Mackinaw nations, and one present brought 
back was " a calumet of red stone, of extraordinary size and 
beauty." The Iroquois had hunted on good terms with the 
Hurons the whole winter, but were attacked by French Indians. 
The western nations refused to join the expedition against 
Onondaga. 

In June, 10 Ottawas were prowling near that place, but made 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 247 

no prisoners. Some Iroquois were taken in Canada, and of these 
four Onondagas were burned when the army reached Montreal. 
The force consisted of 1600 French and 460 Indians, occupying 
400 boats, the Indians being mostly with the vanguard, which 
changed every day. Frontenac was carried across the portage 
at Oswego Falls in his canoe, and from the lake to Onondaga in 
a chair. A horse had been brought for M. de Callieres on 
account of his lameness, and the artillery consisted of two small 
cannon and two light mortars. 

From Lake Ontario the army followed the east bank of the 
Oswego river, crossing the Oneida river Aug. 1, and landing on 
the east side of Onondaga lake the same day. This was between 
Liverpool and Syracuse on the old mission ground, where a fort 
was built, the lines of which could be seen a century later. On 
that day bundles containing 1434 rushes were found at the foot 
of a tree, to show the force arrayed against them. The fort was 
finished Aug. 3, and the army crossed the marsh and encamped 
at the salt springs on the north limits of Syracuse, in readiness 
for the next day's march. 

The town was 9 miles away, on the east side of Butternut 
creek, and there was probably a good trail, but the road had 
some great difficulties. Though the army started at sunrise, 
it was sunset when it reached Onondaga, and the town was in 
ashes. An old squaw was knocked on the head and an old man 
tortured, whose fortitude elicited the admiration of the French. 
It is fair to say that Father Lamberville's account differs widely 
from the official statement and that of Charlevoix. The priest 
saw the death of this man, whom he had baptized when last 
there, and whom he described as a benevolent and devout old 
man, who had been kind to the French. His Canadian relatives 
asked a speedy death for him, but the French insisted on a 
slow fire. 

The official account is different. The Indians were excited : 

It was not deemed prudent to dissuade them from the desire 
they felt to burn him. He had, no doubt, prepared himself 
during his long life to die with firmness, however cruel the tor- 



248 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

tures he should have to endure. Not the slightest murmur 
escaped his lips ; on the contrary, he exhorted those who tor- 
mented him to remember his death, in order that they may dis- 
play similar courage when those of his nation should avenge his 
murder on them. And when a Savage, weary of his harangues, 
gave him some cuts of a knife : " I thank thee," he said, " but 
thou oughtest rather complete my death by fire. Learn French 
dogs! [how to suffer] and ye Savages, their Allies, who are dogs 
of dogs, remember what you have to do when you will occupy 
a position similar to mine." 

De Vaudreuil made a quick march from Onondaga to Oneida, 
destroying it on the 7th and bringing as prisoners the men who 
welcomed him there. An Oneida was burned after the return 
to Montreal, and an Onondaga killed himself there in prison. 

On its way to Onondaga the army left Lachine July 4, and 
began its return Aug. 9, being at Fort Frontenac Aug. 15. The 
French lost their time and harvests ; the Onondagas their bark 
cabins and crops, but the English made good part of this loss. 

Charlevoix gave a graphic account of Frontenac's conduct at 
Onondaga at this time, representing him as a jealous, peevish 
and wilful old man. At first he proposed going to Cayuga, 
destroying the towns and building French forts. All approved 
and some volunteered to remain. Before night he resolved to 
go home, in spite of all remonstrances. To these he replied : 
" They want to obscure my glory, and it is time that I should 
take a little repose." Charlevoix said " that no one of the pro- 
jects which he formed for completely humbling them succeeded." 
All went on as before. 

The Mohawks now brought peace belts to Canada. Two 
French parties were unfortunate, but an Iroquois canoe party 
was defeated on Lake Erie. There was a two hours' fight, and 
55 Iroquois were killed. This broke up some western treaties. 
To show how far the Iroquois now strayed from home, it may 
be said that two Mohawks were this year sent back from Eng- 
land, who had been taken at the surrender of Fort York at 
Hudson bay. 

In February 1697 33 Oneidas went to live at Caughnawaga. 
Others wished to go and asked land for a Canadian settlement 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 249 

where the name of Oneida might be preserved, but the Onon- 
dagas and Mohawks prevented this. Though the French wished 
peace with them, the Onondagas resolved that none of their peo- 
ple should live in Canada. One of their chiefs was captured at the 
gate of Schenectady, and a proposed council between them, the 
Oneidas and French was defeated by the young men, who wished 
to avenge the death of a chief. In November an Onondaga peace 
embassy went to Canada, but brought no prisoners and had a 
cool reception. It did not speak for the Mohawks, and Fronte- 
nac proposed sending an expedition against them, but heavy 
snows prevented this. \ 

There were various encounters during the year, in which four 
western nations said they had killed ioo Senecas. A French 
party was destroyed near Albany by the Mohawks and Mahicans, 
and the Iroquois were everywhere in the field. The French 
heard that the Baron had gone to live near Albany, with 30 
Huron families. He went to Quebec, but sent his son with 19 
belts, to make peace with the Senecas. This was done in spite 
of the French, who gave as a reason that the English sold them 
goods cheaper than they could. Trade affected Indian policy. 

Chapter 13 

Peace declared. Black Kettle killed. Oreaoue' dies. English protection 
of Iroquois. French and English agents at Onondaga. Frontenac 
dies. Western Indians hostile. Proposed Onondaga fort. Colonel 
Romer's journey. Money for fort. Iroquois make peace with Canada. 
Prisoners exchanged. Jesuits return to Iroquois. Council at Mon- 
treal. Beaver land deed. Penn's letter. French influence at Onon- 
daga. Nanticoke tribute. Montour family. Iroquois join English. 

Peace had been declared, and early in 1698 Black Kettle and 
his party were hunting near Fort Frontenac, having made peace 
with the French. There were over 30 Onondagas in the band, 
and their young men intended going against the Ottawas, who 
had killed 100 Iroquois in the past year. Frontenac did not like 
this and gave orders that some chiefs should be quietly secured. 
They were surprised by 34 Algonquins, who killed 20, including 
Black Kettle and four chiefs, and took eight prisoners. The 
scalps and prisoners were taken to Montreal. The Onondagas 



250 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

complained, and Frontenac flung their belt from him, speaking 
of the chief's death as a trifling affair. He would give them 
something worth crying about. In private he talked better, but 
this interrupted negotiations. The Iroquois said that 94 of their 
people had been killed or captured since peace was declared, and 
it was worse than open war. An arrangement was made and 
prisoners were exchanged. Of the death of Black Kettle, Col- 
den said : 

After he was mortally wounded, he cried out : " Must I, who 
have made the whole Earth tremble before me, now die by the 
Hands of Children?" for he despised the Adirondacks. 

Soon after Black Kettle's death Oreaoue' died at Quebec, and 
was buried with ecclesiastic and military honors, " a worthy 
Frenchman and good Christian." A good story is told of his 
religious fervor. Greatly affected by the crucifixion of Christ, 
he said, had he been there, he would have avenged his death 
and brought away the scalps of his enemies. 

Governor Bellomont now notified Frontenac that he had sent 
troops to Albany to protect the Iroquois, and that Lieutenant 
Governor Nanfan would go farther with them if need required. 
Dellius and Schuyler were sent to Canada to arrange an exchange 
of prisoners, but the Iroquois preferred doing this in their own 
way. If subjects, they were not submissive ones, and Bello- 
mont found them quite sullen, but succeeded in conciliating them. 

There was continual controversy on English and French rela- 
tions to the Iroquois. In 1698 a New York merchant testified 
that he had lived in Albany since 1639, and that the Five Nations 
had almost every year since renewed the covenant with New 
York. Colonel Bayard understood that the Dutch settled at 
Albany in 1621 ; " and ever since that first settlement the Iro- 
quaes or five Canton Indian Nations, have always kept up a good 
peace and correspondence with the Govern* of this Province." 
For 60 years past they had renewed this almost every year. 
History was uncertain even then. 

In 1698 some Mohawks went to visit their relatives at the 
Sault, remaining some time and being well entertained. Charle- 
voix said ; 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 25 1 

It was something flattering for these Indians to see themselves 
thus sought by two powers, either of which could have destroyed 
them in less than one campaign, and whose mutual jealousies 
they had contrived to work upon so skilfully as to inspire fear, 
and in some sort respect from both. 

Both French and English now found it necessary to have 

agents at Onondaga, and Bellomont urged the building of forts 

in the Iroquois country, the need of which he saw. Count 

Frontenac planned a second invasion of Onondaga, but gave it 

up and died late in 1698. 

Dekanissora's proposal to treat directly with the French on 
the exchange of prisoners greatly alarmed the English, who 
described him as " a brave fighting fellow, that has done the 
French much mischief, and they have mightily endeavored to 
debauch him from us, but in vain." The Canadian Iroquois 
now took part, sending two belts to the four nations to tell them 
it was the last time they were bid to come to Canada to treat, 
and they were worse than beasts. The Onondagas, as the prin- 
cipal sufferers, with the Oneidas and Cayugas, thought best to 
send three messengers, and Bellomont tried to stop these till 
Schuyler could see them. Col. Peter Schuyler, Dirck Wessel 
and Hendrick Hansen formed the embassy; and it was resolved 
that Johannes Glen jr and John Baptist Van Epps, the inter- 
preter, should reside at Onondaga for a time. The latter two 
went at once. 

The Iroquois embassy reached Onondaga Mar. 21, 1699, on 
their return from Canada, bringing five belts and an offer to 
exchange prisoners. On this a council was called at Onondaga, 
to meet in 25 days. In such calls tally-sticks are attached to the 
wampum, a notch being removed every day. 

Capt. John Schuyler, Capt. John Bleecker, John Baptist Van 
Epps and Arnout Cornelisse Viele set out for Onondaga Ap. 
21, 1699, reaching there Ap. 28, and the latter two remaining for 
some time. At the council the young Indians kicked the French 
belts to a sachem, and the council accepted the English proposals 
and would come to Albany. The French had released all the 
Onondagas. 



252 "NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

A council met in Albany June 13, and the Onondagas proposed 
the building of a fort in their country and the sending of a min- 
ister there. The Dowaganhaes killed some Senecas near their 
castle, and incursions of French Indians were frequent. The 
French should prevent these in a time of peace. One important 
act of this year was the restoration to the Mohawks of land 
fraudulently obtained from them by Dellius. 

In 1700 there was an alarm that the Indians intended a general 
massacre in the English colonies. Bellomont did not like the 
provisioning of Fort Frontenac by the Onondagas and distrusted 
the request of Father Bruyas to go among them and the Mo- 
hawks. He favored a good sod fort at Onondaga, with a garri- 
son of 100 men. It would cost from iiooo to £1200. The Five 
Nations should have presents costing £800. He used to laugh 
at the colonists for allowing 300 or 400 Indians to cut off four 
or five times their number, but he was wiser now, knowing how 
they fought. Yet their own losses were heavy. Before the war 
the Mohawks had 270 men, and now no. The Oneidas were 
reduced from 180 to 70, the Onondagas from 500 to 250, the 
Cayugas from 300 to 200, the Senecas from 1300 to 600. Some 
of these figures may be doubted. 

Robert Livingston was at Onondaga in April 1700, and this 
was still east of Butternut creek. It was no place for a fort, 
being 16 miles from water unless they went to Kaneenda on Onon- 
daga lake. The town itself must soon be moved. The Onon- 
dagas were uneasy and dejected about the French; and two 
thirds of the Mohawks were in Canada, kindly cared for by 
them. The English ambassadors arrived at Kachnawaacharege, 
an Onondaga fishing place on Ghittenango creek, Ap. 23, 1700. 
Thence they went to Onondaga and were heartily welcomed, 
having a satisfactory council. 

Stories of poisoning were prevalent at this time and Aqueen- 
dero, the Onondaga head chief, went to live on Schuyler's 
estate on this account, nor did he long survive. His son had 
died by poison. 

M. de Maricourt, Father Bruyas and eight more Frenchmen 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 253 

came to Onondaga July 24. The first two spoke Iroquois as 
fluently as French. Among- the warlike Onondagas there were 
as many French partizans as English, and there were slight hopes 
of retaining them. They needed English ministers, but they 
said, now they had their prisoners back, they would go to Canada 
no 1 more. 

At this time five Dowaganhaes, or Ottawas, came to Onondaga 
to make peace for three strong nations. The French had 
incited them to hostilities, but they had settled at Tchojachiage, 
on the north shore of Lake Ontario near the Senecas, and desired 
peace. With the Iroquois and English they wished " to boil in 
one kettle, eat out of one dish, and with one spoon, and so be 
one." The other Dowaganhaes had again killed many Iroquois 
at French instigation. They would not take the hatchet out of 
their heads till they submitted to the French and had killed 40 
Senecas that spring. The French governor offered to take the 
hatchet from the Far Indians if the Iroquois would send one 
from each nation to treat with him. 

At this time the Mohawks told the eastern Indians that, if they 
lived not peaceably with the English, they would come and cut 
them off, and they submitted. 

Governor Bellomont conferred in Albany Aug. 20, 1700, with 
50 Iroquois sachems, not allotted as in the condoling lists. There 
were 11 of each nation except the Oneida, and this had six. They 
were glad to be promised ministers. The French clothed all 
whom they baptized, but probably the English would not do 
that. The Mohawks had persuaded Brandt and three others who 
were going to Canada, to remain and be Protestants. The Pray- 
ing Iroquois of Canada now numbered 350 men, and their wish 
to be Christians took them there. 

Colonel Schuyler and all the Albany people opposed the Onon- 
daga fort, as they wished trade at Albany. The beaver trade 
had sunk to nothing there, and the Iroquois hunts led to con- 
stant wars. 

Colonel Romer was in the Onondaga country in October 1700, 
and has left us a curious map of his travels and the country. 



2 54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

His party came to Onondaga Sep. 26, by the old trail over the 
hills, and on horseback, and visited Onondaga lake and Seneca 
river. Three River Point did not suit him for a fort, a sound, 
conclusion. On a high bank on Chittenango creek he found a 
good site, and this was used at a later day. His reception at 
Onondaga was not cordial; for the Albany people had made 
ready for his coming. In preparation for the fort, £500 were 
sent from England, as much more raised in New York, arms 
and tools were provided, but the fort was not built. 

The coming of Maricourt, Bruyas and Joncaire was occa- 
sioned by the Iroquois embassy to Canada early in the year. 
They then condoled Frontenac's death and asked that Lamber- 
ville and Bruyas might return to them. Peace was arranged 
and a treaty signed at Montreal Sep. 8. There was a prelim- 
inary conference at Montreal July 18 with the Onondagas and 
Senecas, and on Sep. 3 the 19 Iroquois deputies brought back 13 
French prisoners. At Onondaga Bruyas had profited by the 
tone of Bellomont's message, and Joncaire went to the Senecas, 
who liberated all their prisoners. Some would not return and 
but 10 came back. 

The Iroquois had hardly returned from this peace conference 
before word came that the Ottawas had attacked their hunters, 
killing some and capturing others. At this council the Iroquois 
were so well received that the Hurons said " that fear made the 
French show more respect to their enemies than love did to their 
friends. " There was reason for this, and Bellomont said : 

I pretend to be able to demonstrate that if the Five Nations 
should at any time in conjunction with the Eastern Indians, and 
those that live within these plantations, revolt from the English 
to the French, they would in a short time drive us out of this 
Continent. 

Their mode of warfare made them powerful, but he had trials 
in meeting them. Of a council in Albany he said : 

It was the greatest fatigue I ever underwent in my whole life. 
I was shut up in a close chamber with 50 Sachems, who besides 
the stink of bears' grease, with which they plentifully dawb'd 
themselves, were either smoaking tobacco or drinking drams 
of rum. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 255 

Bellomont complained that Schuyler made himself popular 
by entertaining Aquendeeo (Atotarho?) alias Sadeganaktie, 
speaker of the Five Nations, and 25 others, for two months at 
the king's expense. In the notice of the chief's death that winter, 
he is called by the full Onondaga council name of Sakoghsinna- 
kichte, equivalent to Sadeganaghtie, and his successor immedi- 
ately took both his names, but is best known by the latter. 

June 19, 1701, Maricourt came again to Kaneenda, the landing 
place at Onondaga lake and 8 miles from the town, to which he 
was escorted under the French flag. Bleecker and Schuyler 
were already there, but would have nothing to do with the 
French. Maricourt carried things with a high hand, and Dekan- 
issora went to Kaneenda to arrange matters with him. Onon- 
daga deputies had reached Montreal Mar. 2 with complaints 
against the western Indians, and Maricourt returned with them. 
He was surprised to find Englishmen there. Dekanissora allowed 
all the captives at Onondaga to return, but some had married 
there and would not go. It was the same elsewhere, but Joncaire 
brought some from the Cayugas and Senecas, being now resident 
agent with the latter. The Oneidas would give up no prisoners, 
but five at last went from Onondaga. Dekanissora said the 
French had 50 or 60 prisoners from the Iroquois last fall and 
they had none in return. He favored having a minister from 
and trade with those who would do the best by them. The 
Onondagas already had a reputation as " men of business." 

After Bruyas brought back the French prisoners in 1700, 
Fathers Jacques de Lamberville, Julien Gamier and Le Vaillant 
were sent to the Onondagas and Senecas. Fathers d'Heu and 
De Mareuil followed, remaining till 1709, the former being resi- 
dent there last of all. 

A council was held at Montreal Aug. 4, 1701, at which all of 
the western nations were represented, with the Iroquois and 
French. In this the Iroquois promised neutrality between the 
French and English. Prisoners were restored, and a general 
peace was signed with great ceremonies, in a place specially 
prepared. 



25^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Governor Bellomont had died, and Lieutenant Governor Nan- 
fan held a conference with the Five Nations at Albany July 10, 
1701, when the first beaver land trust deed was given. This 
comprised the land north and northwest of Lake Ontario and 
Lake Erie, the latter being often called Sweege, the equivalent 
of Oswego. Both shores of this were included, and Nanfan 
described the tract as 800 miles long and 400 broad. It was 
designed to prevent French claims and was signed by 20 chiefs 
from all the nations. He told them they should not have allowed 
a French fort at Detroit. Most of this great tract was in Canada, 
and they said they had taken it from the Agaritkas or Hurons, 
60 years before. There was a later trust deed of lands south of 
the lakes. 

At a council in Philadelphia, Ap. 23, 1701, Ahookassongh was 

present and was called " the brother of the great Emperor of 

the Onondagas." William Penn had addressed a letter from 

London June 25, 1682, " To the Emperor of Canada," intending 

the same ruler. He said : 

The Great God that made thee and me, and all the world, 
Incline our hearts to love, peace and Justice, that we may live 
friendly together, as becomes the workmanship of the great God. 
The King of England, who is a Great Prince, hath for Divers 
Reasons Granted to me a large Country in America, which, how- 
ever, I am willing to Injoy upon friendly terms with thee. And 
this I will say, that the people who comes with me are a just, 
plain, and honest people, that neither make war upon others nor 
fear war from others, because they will be just. I have sett up a 
Society of Traders in my Province, to traffick with thee and thy 
people for your Commodities, that you may be furnished with 
that which is good at reasonable rates. And this Society hath 
ordered their President to treat with thee about a future Trade, 
and have joined with me to send their Messenger to thee, with 
certain Presents from us, to testify our Willingness to have a 
fair Correspondence with thee : And what this Agent shall do in 
our names we will agree unto. I hope thou wilt kindly Receive 
him, and Comply with his desires on our behalf, both with respect 
to Land and Trade. The Great God be with thee. Amen. 

The coming of several French priests has been mentioned. The 
Onondagas were about equally divided on this, but Lamberville 
had a house and chapel there in 1702. Maricourt installed him 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 257 

in these, and mass and a Te Deum were sung in the chapel 
before he left there that year. Lamberville was well received by 
all the Onondagas except Dekanissora's family, and of them 
there are conflicting accounts. Joncaire was adopted by the 
Senecas. That year also Garakontie' 2 died, ceasing only with 
his last breath his kindness to the French. His nephew took 
his place as French correspondent at Onondaga. Charlevoix 
said that the old chief " found more than once the means of 
defeating the intrigues of the English, and to him we were fre- 
quently indebted for safety in the most serious difficulties." 

Lord Cornbury feared the loss of three of the Five Nations ; 
and it was quite generally recognized that English missionaries 
among them had become a political necessity. In a council in 
1702 the Iroquois chiefs sang a mournful song on the death of 
King William. 

In 1704 the Iroquois again had trouble with the western 
Indians. The Ottawas had carried off 30 Senecas near Fort 
Frontenac and had treacherously attacked them elsewhere, being 
determined on war. By good fortune the commander at Detroit 
was able to restore the prisoners the Ottawas had made. M. de 
Maricourt had died, and his brother, Baron de Longueuil, suc- 
ceeded him at Onondaga. Peter Schuyler sent belts to the Can- 
adian Iroquois ; but the French got hold of them and had them 
returned by the Onondagas without answer. That year some 
Iroquois chiefs were at a council in Pennsylvania, and questions 
of land and southern warfare brought them there with increasing 
frequency. 

In 1706 Vaudreuil sent Joncaire to Michilimackinac to main- 
tain the peace between the Ottawas and Iroquois, the safety of 
Canada depending on peace with the latter. The Ottawas prom- 
ised to make reparation, and, though slow about it, at last did so. 

An Indian showed a fine belt of 21 rows at Philadelphia in 
1706, "which Belt, he said, was a pledge of peace formerly 
delvd. by the Onondagoe Indians, one of the 5 Nations to the 
Nantikokes, when they made the said Nantikokes tributaries." 
The Iroquois would soon receive this tribute, which had then 



258 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

been paid for 26 years, or since 1680. The next year they took 
20 belts and some strings to Onondaga. 

The French again proposed, to secure Niagara through Jon- 
caire's influence with the Senecas. Of him it was said later, 
" He is daring, liberal, speaks the language in great perfection, 
hesitates not even whenever it is necessary to decide." 

In spite of the French, the Indians would carry furs to the 
English, and their own men would desert. An Onondaga had 
killed a deserter in 1708 and claimed that the French said such 
men were already dead. They had to yield. That year an 
Englishman was for some months among the Onondagas, Cay- 
ugas and Senecas. When he proposed a fort at Gaskonchiague', or 
Oswego Falls, and another at the head of Lake Thiroguen, or Oneida 
lake, they refused the first and referred the other to the Oneidas. 

Father d' Heu also wrote, May 24, 1708, that two Onondagas 
had gone to the Gannaouans in Virginia, who had an ambuscade 
near Onondaga the year before. They carried several belts. 
The Onondagas were troubled over the pretended settlement of 
the Ottawas at Fort Frontenac and Niagara, and the French 
posts at Niagara and La Galette. In case of war all this would be 
to their disadvantage. 

The English blacksmith had returned to Onondaga, but the 
French party concealed the anvil in the priest's house, eventually 
giving it up. They wanted a French smith, which he thought 
"would be very important for the good of religion and the 
French colony." 

De Tonty was reported to have retained Indian presents while 
refusing their requests. This was contrary to their custom and 
displeased them. There were hints, also, that Joncaire made 
money by the use of his office and public presents. That year 
the Indian Montour family first came to notice. The father was 
a Frenchman who had a son and two daughters by an Indian 
wife, and they became prominent. In 1708 the son brought 12 
of the Far Indians to trade at Albany; they had come 800 miles. 
There may have been several families of this name. Joncaire 
killed the original Montour in 1721 by Vaudreuil's order. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 259 

The New England, people thought the Five Nations should 
help them against the French Indians ; and, when two Mohawk 
spies returned from Canada in 1709, the governor advised them 
to go by the St Lawrence, as war parties were on Lake Cham- 
plain, and they might be killed. A large party had gone against 
New England ; and Governor Vaudreuil had heard the hatchet 
was placed in the hands of the Five Nations, but he would let 
the English strike first. Then he could easily take Albany at 
any time. 

Joncaire could not be everywhere ; and, while he was with 
the Senecas, Abraham Schuyler sang the war song at Onon- 
daga, giving the hatchet to the Indians. He induced Father 
Lamberville to go to Montreal to report, and then persuaded 
Father de Mareuil that his life was in danger and took him to 
Albany. Some Onondagas then pillaged and burned his house 
and chapel. Joncaire heard of this and thought it best to keep 
away, returning to his Seneca friends, where Father d'Heu 
then was. 

Peter Schuyler had persuaded all but the Senecas to side with 
the English ; but the Mohawks and Onondagas sent word to 
Canada that they did not really wish war, and 40 Senecas were 
well received at Montreal by Governor Vaudreuil. 

Chapter 14 

Tributary nations. Conestoga council. Indian chiefs in England. Inter- 
est in them. French fort at Onondaga. Iroquois at Albany. Mohawk 
fort and chapel. Delaware tribute. Peace of Utrecht. Tuscaroras 
adopted. French post at Irondequoit. Catawbas. Peace with the 
French. French post at Niagara. Hendrick restored. Governor Bur- 
net. Pennsylvania lands. Boundary between Six Nations and Virginia 
Indians. English post at Irondequoit. Colonial conference at Albany. 
Far Indians at Albany. Conference with Massachusetts. 

In 1709 the chiefs of the Mingoes, Ganawese and Delawares on 
the Susquehanna purposed going to Onondaga with their tribute, 
but the governor of Pennsylvania thought it a bad time, as he 
wished to employ the Five Nations against Canada. Many were 
already engaged by the English. These chiefs " had prepared for 
their journey Twenty four Belts of Wampum to be presented to 



260 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

them as their Tribute." That year the governors of New York and 
Pennsylvania were to " contract with the five nations to make 
with all speed as many Canoes as may be wanted " for an expe- 
dition against Canada, and to engage as many warriors as 
possible. 

An important council was attended by the governor of Penn- 
sylvania in 1709, at Conestoga, some Seneca and Tuscarora 
chiefs being present. The Tuscaroras presented eight belts 
" as an Introduction, & in order to break off hostilities till next 
Spring, for then their Kings will come & sue for the peace they 
so much Desire." They were told they could come and would 
be protected if they lived peaceably. The Senecas thanked the 
white people for coming and said the belts would be sent to the 
Five Nations. 

English forts were planned at Lake George and Crown Point, 
and some were built on Wood creek, at one of which 1600 men 
were assembled. Many bateaux and 100 birch canoes were 
provided, but on a French advance all were destroyed. During 
these fruitless efforts New York employed 600 Indians and 
maintained 1000 of their wives and children at Albany. 

Colonel Schuyler had found England indifferent to the Indians, 
and now took some River Indians and Mohawks there to rouse 
some interest. It was a successful move. They had many and 
great attentions and were received at court, returning home in 
1 710. With them Queen Anne sent medals for all the Five 
Nations and promised better things. 

De la Chauvignerie was sent to Onondaga in 1710 and was 
well received. July 17, De Longueuil and Joncaire made pro- 
posals there to the Onondagas and Oneidas, threatening to 
destroy them if they sided with the English. This led the for- 
mer to ask an English fort in their land and that strong drink 
might be forbidden in their castles. It was destroying them. 

An unimportant council was held at Albany; but Governor 
Hunter before this had arrested the Iroquois hatchet against the 
Flatheads, and the suspected Senecas had renewed the cove- 
nant, into which the Dowaganhaes, or Ottawas, had also entered. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 26l 

De Longueuil, Joncaire and others were at Onondaga in April 
171 1, to build a trading house, bringing with them £600 in pres- 
ents, mostly ammunition. Colonel Schuyler was sent there at 
once with six men. The Onondagas had given the French a 
lot in the midst of their castle, and they began work April 19. 
Schuyler reached there May 17; but De Longueuil had stopped 
work and gone to Kaneenda, at the lake. A council was held at 
once, and the Onondagas said the Minquas or Conestogas 
reported that the French and English had agreed to destroy 
them and take their land. The French said they would not but 
the English would, and advised them to be neutral and send 
messengers to Canada. Schuyler denied the story and gave 
them the British arms to set up, sending these also to the Cay- 
ugas and Senecas. 

De Longueuil had 24 Frenchmen, with their officers, and had 
left the unfinished blockhouse in charge of a chief who was sent 
for. It was 243^2 feet long by 18 feet wide, covered with boards 
and nailed. The Indians said Schuyler might leave or destroy 
the house, but they would first send word to the French at 
Kaneenda. He destroyed this and some lumber sawed for a 
chapel, which ended the trouble at this time. 

In August some Hurons came to the Cayugas to know who 
had killed their men. The Senecas said they had not, but the 
others justified the killing, on which the Hurons said they would 
fight. On the 24th 500 Iroquois came to Albany and reported 
more coming. Marching down the hill, they were saluted with 
five guns as they passed the fort. The French paid them similar 
honors. In the council each nation sat by itself, and all agreed 
to help the colonists, being ready to join the troops who had 
already marched. Ammunition was freely supplied. Out of 
682 Indians going to war 26 were Shawnees. 

Dekanissora was speaker, and they wished the Praying Indians 
might be neutral. They would treat prisoners as Christians did 
and asked instructions. Lieutenant Governor Nanfan gave each 
nation pictures of the four Indians who had been in England. 
Queen Anne had ordered forts to be built and missionaries sent, 



262 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and had furnished silver communion sets for the Indians, one 
being now in Canada and the other in Albany. Contracts were 
made for building forts and chapels in the Mohawk and Onon- 
daga country, to be finished in 1713. The fort at Onondaga was 
to be near the town and water, but it was not built, nor was their 
chapel, so that the articles intended for it always remained at Albany. 

The Indians wished that the war kettle might continue to boil, 
i. e. the war continue. Dekanissora said they did not fight like 
the whites. " When we have war against any nation, Wee 
endeavor to destroy them utterly." The queen's arms in .their 
castles would not defend them, they wanted powder and ball. 
Two Onondagas visited Canada; and Governor Vaudreuil sent 
word by them that he must now make prisoners. The Canadian 
Indians took the French hatchet gladly, and the western tribes 
with some hesitation. 

The Delawares carried 32 belts to Onondaga as their tribute 
in 1712, and had with them a large calumet, given them " upon 
making their submissions to the Five Nations, who had subdued 
them and obliged them to be their tributaries." They said some 
of them were infants when this occurred, so that it could hardly 
have been earlier than 1650. After a kind reception some Sen- 
ecas returned with them, bringing belts to the governor of Penn- 
sylvania and asking friendship and open trade. At this time 
the Conestogas were at war with the Tuscaroras and other 
southern Indians, having taken the English side. 

The Senecas were under French influence. As they went to 
Montreal that year, the Onondagas stopped them, inviting them 
to a general Iroquois council at Fort Frontenac. This proposal 
troubled the French; for it was not usual to treat there. Jon- 
caire was at Onondaga; but Vaudreuil sent Longueuil and Chau- 
vignerie there, as Peter Schuyler had been there twice and had 
brought Madame Montour and her husband, to remove jeal- 
ousies created by the French. Before the Montours arrived in 
August, some of the Indians had gone to Albany, and in spite 
of the rest the Senecas would go to Montreal. The other four 
nations continued their meetings at Onondaga and had made 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 263 

part of their war canoes. Indians from Virginia had been there ; 
but Joncaire thought Schuyler would keep the Iroquois from 
western warfare, as this disturbed his fur trade. 

The Senecas came to Montreal and said Dekanissora was sing- 
ing the war song. Four of their nations would fight, but they 
wished no western war, as they always suffered most. Several 
reports came to Montreal in September, that the council still 
continued, and there would be war without Seneca aid. French 
messengers went to Michilimackinac and to the Illinois and 
Miamis to warn them of probable danger. 

On the other hand, Governor Hunter said the Iroquois were 
quiet again, though it was reported that they aided the Tusca- 
roras. A good fort and chapel had been built for the Mohawks, 
where he had a missionary and 20 officers and men and he hoped 
much from this prudent measure. 

The peace of Utrecht came in 1713 and the hatchet was taken 
from the Indians. Messrs Hansen, Bleecker and Clausen were 
sent to Onondaga in September, meeting Dekanissora on the 
way, who returned with them. Half a mile from Onondaga 150 
Indians met and welcomed them, and on the 20th the sachems 
held a council, " and spoke with three strings of wampum in 
their loftiest style." 

Four southern Indians came with belts, and the English were 
asked to mediate between those of Carolina and the Tuscaroras. 
The latter went out from the Onondagas and settled southward. 
They had been at war, were dispersed, had left their castles, 
and asked that they might not be hunted down. In a sudden 
outbreak in September 171 1, they had killed 130 persons in one 
day, but lost many of their own people the same year. The 
southern Indians sided with the colonists, the strong Tuscarora 
fort of Naharuke was taken Mar. 26, 1713, and 800 prisoners 
were sold as slaves. On this they made peace, most of them 
going to New York. Their plea was heeded, and after the 
council the English mounted their horses, the Indians cheering 
as they left. The Onondaga fort was to be built as soon as 
possible. 



264 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

A council was held with the Iroquois at Albany Sep. 20, 1714. 
They had heard the southern colonies intended cutting them 
off, which they would not believe were powder cheaper, but on 
this they had recalled a war party of 40 Senecas and 100 Onon- 
dagas. The governor denied the report, but would try to have 
powder cheaper, giving them handsome presents and beer to 
drink the queen's health. Dekanissora promised to send expresses 
to all the nations to tell them there was no truth in the report. They 
said the warriors were young men, and it would depend on them 
whether they buried the hatchet against the Flatheads. They had 
no good clothes to wear to church, and deferred the missionary ques- 
tion till goods were cheaper and they could go well dressed. The 
Senecas wished a smith at a hamlet between them and the Cayugas. 
The Tuscaroras now lived among them, though a few remained 
south, and Governor Hunter was to look on them as their chil- 
dren, who would live peaceably between Onondaga and Oneida. 
A tract had been assigned them in what is now Madison county. 

In 171 5 the French were still intriguing, and there were idle 
stories of an intended French fort at Onondaga. These troubled 
those in power only as it might affect trade, for the traders 
then cared more for private profit than the public good. Gov- 
ernor Hunter tried to have the Five Nations go against those 
Indians in Carolina who had attacked the English there, and 
said the friendly Indians on the Susquehanna had brought home 
30 prisoners. He was not aware that the war was over. 

At a council in Albany Aug. 27, 1715, Dekanissora returned 
the unfortunate hatchet given him against Canada, and they 
must never give so poor a one again. If used, it must be new 
steeled. They would close the southern warpath, though war- 
riors were still out. Their story about southern troubles dif- 
fered from that of the English, who had the Flatheads or Cataw- 
bas help them there against the Tuscaroras. The Catawbas 
were faithless and ought to be conquered themselves. They 
lamented the death of Queen Anne, and afterward sent mes- 
sengers south. 

De Longueuil was at Onondaga in 1716 and thought a fort 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 265 

necessary at Niagara. Preliminary to this, a French trading 
house was built that year at Irondequoit, but the goods came 
from Albany by way of Montreal. Two wooden houses were 
also built at Albany for the use of the Indians. They were ioo 
yards behind the fort and each was 15 by 70 feet. 

The Five Nations called the Catawbas Toderichroone, and 
said they were treacherous, for, after concluding peace in 1714, 
they immediately murdered some Iroquois, and war continued. 
In 1717 a party of 400 or 500 young Iroquois went as far as the 
Susquehanna on their way to Virginia. They were persuaded 
to turn westward, but soon resumed their course and attacked 
140 Catawbas. The governor at last got Connaughtoora to hold 
a council at Williamsburg. He refused to make peace with the 
Catawbas on any terms, but would not harm the Christianna 
Indians. This war continued till part of the Catawbas were 
adopted. 

Governor Vaudreuil held a council with the Senecas Oct. 24, 
1717, having sent Joncaire to the Iroquois country in December 
1716. They had attacked the Illinois and made some prisoners. 
Another band went toward the Mississippi but soon returned, 
having lost their captain and others by smallpox. The Senecas 
thought the war should be stopped. Some were suspicious of 
Joncaire, yet, when deputies came from all in September, the 
Onondaga speaker, after having bewailed the French king's 
death, asked Longueuil and his son, Joncaire and Chauvignerie 
to come to their villages freely, they having adopted the last two. 
They feared not to displease the English. 

In 1718 the Iroquois were at peace w r ith the French but at 
war with the Flatheads, and thought the English supplied them 
with arms. Governor Vaudreuil said he was not surprised. At 
that time the Senecas had a village at Niagara, earning a good 
deal as carriers at the portage. A fine cart road there was used 
several times a year. 

When Dekanissora was at Albany July 6, 1719, he said the 
French were building a fort at Niagara, where they would keep 
horses and carts, but did it without leave. The house was 30 



266 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

by 40 feet. The Senecas at first objected, but at last allowed it. 
They did not claim full jurisdiction at Niagara, as it was not 
theirs originally and was conquered by all. He would not take 
a belt to Onondaga, being in Albany only as a private person. 
At this time the French tried to have Madame Montour settle 
in Canada. 

In May 1720 Myndert Schuyler and Robert Livingston jr 
went to the Senecas to desire them to bury the hatchet against 
all Indians allied to the English and to remonstrate against the 
Niagara fort. The Senecas said they would await the Far 
Indians who were said to be coming against them, and would 
send sachems with Lawrence Claese to forbid the fort at Niagara. 
The three Frenchmen there said they had leave from the young 
Seneca warriors and would not destroy the house without orders 
from Canada. The chiefs knew of no such leave. On his return 
Claese met a French smith, sent to Niagara to work for the Senecas 
gratis. Claese called the Seneca sachems together again and 
repeated his words before Joncaire, who made a retort. 

Messengers came to Albany in August from all but the Sen- 
ecas. Joncaire had been among them to keep them at home, 
telling them that, if the English destroyed this house, it would 
cost blood, and they believed him. The other nations thought 
it a damage. Dekanissora jr, a Cayuga chief, thought the Eng- 
lish ells should be longer and their pounds heavier. If well 
provisioned for their home journey, the Christians' cattle would 
not suffer, but hunger was a sharp sword. 

Hendrick, the Mohawk, having been suspended as a sachem 
four years before, was restored. He said the Indians could not 
live peaceably in their castles as long as rum was so plenty. 
He and Brandt had been to England some years before, as 
Mohawk kings. 

Governor Burnet thought the Indian trade could be preserved 
by repairing the forts, building others at Niagara and Onondaga, 
and forbidding the carrying of Indian goods to Canada. The 
French claimed that the English had proposed settling at Niagara 
and taking horses there. This led to the French post, and Jon- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 267 

caire was sent as best qualified to prevent the building of the 
English house. The Indians, however, still traded at Albany, 
not finding good clothes at Niagara. In the early part of Gov- 
ernor Hunter's administration, the Palatines had come to New 
York; and he closed his term with a warning. If war should 
come with the Five Nations, " the best part of the province will 
certainly be ruined." 

The Mission of the Mountain had been for nearly 20 years at 
the Sault au Recollect, near Montreal, but in 1720 it was removed 
to the Lake of the Two Mountains, at the end of the island. 
The Indians of this and Caughnawaga were hostile to New Eng- 
land, and there are yet descendants of their English prisoners 
there and at St Regis. Some went west, and a new Caughna- 
waga arose on the Muskingum. 

By conquest much of Pennsylvania belonged to the Iroquois, 
and this claim they had before asserted, while assenting to some 
early acts. In 1720 the Six Nations, as they were now often 
called, were dissatisfied with the increasing settlements on the 
Susquehanna, to which the Cayugas made special claim.. About 
1700 Governor Penn had bought some of these lands of the 
Conestogas, and the Five Nations afterward assented to this. 
Another amicable settlement came later, but other claims led to 
many councils and much intercourse between Philadelphia and 
Onondaga. The usual route was by the Susquehanna. 

In 1721 it was stated that De Longueuil had been adopted by 
the Onondagas, his family being also of that nation. Joncaire 
was an adopted Seneca, and so both were commonly in the Iro- 
quois towns. Governor Burnet heard that the Senecas were 
growing cold toward them. That year Joncaire, Longueuil and 
Chauvignerie went to the Senecas, thanking them for their good 
will and asking them to go to Onondaga and call a council, to 
refuse the English passage if they came to destroy the fort. The 
Senecas were divided on this, the fort not being on their original 
land. June 20, John Durant, a French chaplain, met Joncaire 
at Oswego, returning from Onondaga. He said he had beaten 
the bush and De Longueuil would take the birds. Next day 



268 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Durant met the latter and Chauvignerie above Oswego Falls, 
and he said four nations had given him good words. These falls 
had the same Indian name as those on the Genesee river, and this 
has caused some confusion of places. 

Governor Burnet held a council with the Six Nations, Sep. 7, 
1721. The Virginia Indians had proposed that the Potomac river 
and the high mountains westward should be the dividing line for 
their hunting parties, neither passing beyond without permission. 
The Iroquois agreed to this boundary. The governor had been 
told that, since the Virginia belt came, some of the Iroquois had 
gone with French Indians against those of Virginia, a frequent 
practice. 

This month, also, Peter Schuyler jr was sent to the Seneca 
country with a party of young men, who were willing to stay 
and trade there for a year. Their house was at Irondequoit, 
and they were not to trade with the Indians farther east but 
with any of those west. They were also to encourage the French 
coureurs de bois to bring their furs to the English, they being 
willing if protected. 

Another council was held at Albany Aug. 27, 1722. The Iro- 
quois had done as they agreed last year, sending messengers to 
the Far Indians to come and trade. Blew Bek, chief sachem of 
the Senecas, had been to Canada with others and was coming to 
Albany to tell what the French said. Three companies of their 
people had gone against the Flatheads. The governor of Vir- 
ginia was present and promised that the 10 nations of Virginia 
should not pass the line, and the Iroquois promised the same for 
themselves, the Tuscaroras and for four nations on the Sus- 
quehanna. He gave them a golden horseshoe as a passport 
when they wished to send to him. 

Governor Keith, of Pennsylvania, also conferred with them, 
and they called him Onas, meaning a pen. Two chiefs of each 
of the Five Nations and two of the Tuscaroras had a special 
conference with him Sep. 14. They freely surrendered to him 
the lands about Conestoga and renewed former treaties. He told 
the other governors that the Conestogas spoke the same language 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 269 

as the Five Nations and paid them tribute. After this they no 
longer had their old names of Andastes or Minquas. 

In this treaty the Iroquois addressed "Brother Assarigoe, the 
name of the governors of Virginia, which signifies a Simeter or 
Cutlas which was given to the Lord Howard, anno 1684, from 
the dutch word Hower, a Cutlas." Hence and from their cavalry 
the Virginians were termed Long Knives. The Potomac was 
called Kahongoronton by the Iroquois, and the Roanoke the 
Konentcheneke. The five nations controlled by the Iroquois on 
the Susquehanna were the Tuscaroras, Conestogas, Shawnees, 
Oquagas, who were partly Mohawks, and the Ostanghaes, who 
were Delawares. Some southern Indians afterward came to 
New York. 

This Albany council was the first in which the Tuscaroras 
shared as part of the Iroquois league ; and at the end, " the 
speaker of the Five Nations, holding up the coronet, they gave 
six shouts, five for the Five Nations, and one for a castle of 
Tuscaroras, lately seated between Oneida and Onondaga." 

The Conestogas said the Five Nations, as a body, had no title 
to the Susquehanna lands, and that four of them claimed none, 
but that the Cayugas made a continual claim, and the matter 
should be settled. Some Cayugas went to Pennsylvania in 1723 
to hold a council on this matter, but this had usually been done 
by the Onondagas, " their best gentlemen." The Five Nations 
had placed the Shawnees on the Susquehanna, and now told them 
they did not well to settle at Shallyschoking. 

Some chiefs of the Six Nations and Schaghticokes went to 
Boston in 1723, and were well received. A piece of engraved 
plate was given each one, and £100 were promised for scalps. 

Aug. 29 a conference was held at Albany with 80 Far Indians 
called Nicariages, who came there to open trade. They spoke 
by their chief Sakena and desired to be the seventh nation of the 
Iroquois, but this never took effect. They gave a calumet, which 
" is esteemed very valuable, and is the greatest token of peace 
and friendship." Some more came in 1724, whom the French 
tried to turn aside on Lake Ontario, but they said they were free 
and would go where they pleased. 



270 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

The Canada Indians promised not to war on Massachusetts, 
and the Five Nations threatened to compel the eastern Indians 
to be quiet. The English captured 40 Abenaquis and placed 
them among the Iroquois, and the latter sent two of them, under 
guard, to treat for peace. The Abenaquis were away, and the 
messengers left suitable tokens, but there were misunderstandings 
and hostilities increased. Father Rasle was soon after killed, 
and the Iroquois promised not to make war on the Abenaquis, 
who greatly feared them. Governor Vaudreuil then sent Jon- 
caire to winter among the Senecas and proposed sending De 
Longueuil to Onondaga. He now forbade the connection of 
trading posts with missions. 

The Six Nations tried to make peace between the Canadian 
Indians and New England, but the former refused. On this ques- 
tion they conferred with the governor of Massachusetts at Albany 
in September 1724. At the same time they held a council with 
Governor Burnet. He had kept a smith and some young men in 
the Seneca country for two years and heard they had a good 
house. He found others willing to live among the Onondagas, 
and would build a house at the mouth of their river. This led to 
a fuller examination of Wood creek and the Oneida carrying 
place. 

Chapter 15 

Fort at Oswego. Trust deed of residence land. Shikellimy viceroy in 
Pennsylvania. French at Onondaga. French fort at Crown Point. 
Pennsylvania and the Six Nations. Their council. Weiser and Shikel- 
limy. Council at Stenton. Iroquois claims. Their numbers. Albany 
council. French claims in New York. War against Southern Indians. 
Joncaires. Blacksmiths. 

The lucid papers of Cadwallader Colden, in 1724, helped the 
founding of Oswego, a situation which Governor Burnet pre- 
ferred to Oneida lake. Dekanissora was still speaker and was 
to advise with Burnet on all matters of importance. 

In 1725 the Iroquois of the Sault and of the Two Mountains 
sent word to the Six Nations that, if they allowed an English 
fort at Oswego, they would make war on them, but thought bet- 
ter of this. The English started their expedition in March, but 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 27 1 

the post had not been established May 9, the Senecas opposing it. 
De Longueuil expected a conference at the Bay of the Cayugas. 
He met 100 Englishmen at Oswego Falls, who made him show 
his pass, on which he told the Iroquois chiefs they were no 
longer masters of their own country. The Five Nations awaited 
him at Onondaga, consenting to the erection of a stone house at 
Niagara and the building of two barks on Lake Ontario. He 
niet more than 100 canoes going to the English to trade and heard 
that they had posts on the Wabash. The Onondagas told him 
they had agreed to the English going to Gaskonchiague', or 
Oswego Falls, 6 leagues from the lake. Some rules were made 
about trading there, but these were soon transferred to Oswego. 
Governor Burnet held another conference with the Six Nations 
at Albany Sep. 7, 1726. They said the Senecas last year sent 
them a belt, that, if De Longueuil wished to make a settlement 
at Niagara, Oswego, or elsewhere on their lands, it should be 
refused. De Longueuil said that his bark house was decayed 
and made so many fair speeches that the .Onondagas gave their 
consent, but had repented, blaming no one but themselves. The 
land belonged to the Senecas. One nation often acted in the 
name of the rest, but its action was void unless the others con- 
sented. The Six Nations had notified the French that they must 
not build at Niagara. They now came howling to Governor 
Burnet because of their encroachments. 

-Sep. 14 the Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas confirmed the 
Beaver Land deed, and also signed another trust deed of their 
residence lands on the south side of Lakes Erie and Ontario, 60 
miles inland. The Mohawks and Oneidas having no land on 
these, their signatures were not required. The tract began at 
" a Creek called Canahogue on the Lake Osweego, (Erie) all 
along the said lake and all along the narrow passage from the 
said Lake to the Falls of Oniagara Call'd Cahaquaraghe and all 
along the River of Oniagara and all along the Lake Cadarack- 
quis (Ontario) to the Creek Called Sodoms belonging to the 
Senekes and from Sodoms to the hill Called Tegerhunkserode 



2.72. NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Belonging to the Cayouges, and from Tegerhunckseroda to the 
Creek Called Cayhunghage (Salmon river) Belonging to the 
Onnondages." 

Sadegeenaghtie, who signed the first deed, signed this also. 

Governor Burnet got £300 from New York for building a fort 
at Oswego and commenced it in the spring of 1727. Being 
advised that the French might interfere, he sent 60 soldiers, there 
being already 200 traders there, besides workmen. The perma- 
nent garrison would be an officer and 20 men. The stone walls 
were 4 feet thick, and it was finished in August. The French 
sent a summons to have it destroyed and abandoned within 15 
days, but the matter was referred to the two crowns. The regu- 
lations there about Indian trade were good and strict. 

In 1726 the Iroquois made some trouble in the south, and the 
next year there was a conference at Philadelphia, attended mostly 
by Cayugas, who talked of their Susquehanna lands and offered 
to sell. The Shawnees and Delawares were told that the Five 
Nations would put petticoats on them and look on them as 
women. They had been so called years before, but in a less 
decided way. 

In 1728 the Oneida chief Ungquaterughiathe, or Swatana, 
better known by his Delaware name of Shikellimy, was sent to 
Pennsylvania to reside there as a kind of viceroy over all the 
Indians on the Susquehanna in that province. He was the father 
of the celebrated Logan; but having married a Cayuga, his 
children were all of that nation. In virtue of his office he repre- 
sented the Iroquois in a Pennsylvania council in 1728, but took 
no part. The celebrated Madame Montour was an interpreter 
at that time, being then the wife, but soon the widow of Robert 
Hunter, or Carundowana, another Oneida chief. Her first hus- 
band was a Seneca named Roland Montour. She was then called 
" a French woman, who had lived long among these People," 
and was always represented as of unmixed blood. That year she 
told an alarming story, which came from her sister, married and 
living among the Miamis, that the Five Nations had asked the 
Miamis to take the hatchet against the English. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 273 

Governor Montgomerie succeeded Governor Burnet Ap. 15, 
1728, and had a conference with the Iroquois on the rum ques- 
tion. It might be sold but not brought to their towns. 

That year Chauvignerie went on an embassy to Onondaga, 
then in Onondaga valley. The sachems met him on the lake 
three leagues from Oswego, and told him he must fire the first 
salute and lower his flag when he passed the fort. He refused 
and asked whose land it was. The Onondagas said it belonged 
to them. He landed, pitched his tent, but refused to enter the 
fort or to strike his flag, which he kept up night and day while 
he stayed. No salutes were exchanged, and he would not allow 
an Onondaga to carry the British flag over his canoe. Half a 
league from Onondaga the chiefs met him, and he marched in 
under the French flag, placing it over Ononwaragon's cabin. He 
employed chiefs to bewail that chief's death, that of his nephew 
and of the Onondagas generally. 

To counteract the effect of the Oswego post, the French voy- 
ageurs were ordered to take the north shore of the lake, and it was 
desirable to have a post at the Bay of the Cayugas, 8. or 9 leagues 
west of Oswego. 

In 1728 the Council at Philadelphia thought " that as the Five 
Nations have an absolute Authority over all our Indians, and 
may command them as they please, it is of great importance to 
Remove any Impressions that have been made upon them to the 
prejudice of the English, and that by all means 'tis necessary 
they should be spoken with." 

It was noted that Shikellimy had been appointed by the Five 
Nations to reside among the Shawnees. At a conference in 
Philadelphia Oct. 10, the old Delaware chief, Sassoonan, said: 

The Five Nations had often told them that they were as 
Women only, & desired them to plant Corn & mind their own 
private Business, for that they would take Care of what related 
to Peace & War, & that therefore they have ever had good & 
peaceable Thoughts towards us. 

In 1730 Joncaire told the Senecas that he had been expelled 
from the French service and asked leave to build a trading house 
of his own at Irondequoit bay. Instructions against this were 



274 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

sent to Messrs Wendell, Hartsen and others, then in the Seneca 
country. At the same time the Fox Indians sent two red stone 
axes to the young Senecas, which Joncaire forwarded to Canada, 
saying they were a request that the Foxes might live with them. 

In the spring of the same year Jacob Brower, a trader, was 
murdered at Oswego Falls. The Indians made satisfaction and 
testified that he was duly interred. 

In the fall Governor de Beauharnois, hearing that the English 
were going to Lake Champlain to trade, sent men to drive them 
off, but they found no one there. In 1731 he proposed building 
a fort at Crown Point, where the English built and abandoned 
one in 1709. The English had already placed farmers among 
the Mohawks and Oneidas, and had a good road from the Mo- 
hawk river to Oneida lake. It was thought there would soon be 
a town at Oswego. 

Fort St Frederick was built at Crown Point. Joncaire was 
employed among the Senecas, but was sent to the Shawnees on 
the Ohio. About this time Iroquois parties were out against 
the Foxes in Wisconsin. 

Iroquois relations with Pennsylvania increased in importance, 
and in August Governor Keith said there was an opportunity 
" of sending a Message to the Six (formerly called the Five) 
Nations by Shekellamy, who is willing to undertake it, & is a 
truly good Man & a great Lover of the English." A present 
and an invitation to visit Philadelphia were sent. In December 
he returned from the Senecas, to whom a covenant belt was 
delivered at a council. Conrad Weiser was now official inter- 
preter for the province, and gave warning that there would be 
trouble with the Six Nations if the liquor trade were not better 
regulated. He had been adopted by the Mohawks and spoke 
their language. 

The Seneca, Oneida and Cayuga chiefs came to Philadelphia 
in August 1732, and ordered the Shawnees to return east, having 
absolute power over them. They were coming too much under 
French influence and refused to obey, killing some Iroquois. 
The offenders fled, and the Iroquois were afterward pacified with 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 275 

presents. They had allowed the Shawnees to come to Pennsyl- 
vania about 1691. The Six Nations had just made an alliance 
with the Miamis and three other western nations, and had also 
forbidden a French trading house on the Ohio. Joncaire was 
again sent to the Senecas, and French medals would be given to. 
the chiefs. That year Conrad Weiser and Shikellimy were 
appointed agents between the Six Nations and Pennsylvania. 

In 1733 David A. Schuyler was appointed commissioner at 
Oswego, as understanding Indian trade and language, and Philip 
Schuyler was sent to the Senecas, with £410 in presents, to secure 
their friendship. In September there was a conference between 
Governor Cosby and the Six Nations. A Cayuga chief had been 
killed at Oswego Falls. By the white man's law the murderer 
should die, but among Indians the offense might be reconciled 
and forgiven, which they prayed might be done. The Far 
Indians were treacherous and had killed some Oneidas while 
feasting them, just after a treaty of peace. The Shawnees still 
favored the French in spite of Iroquois advice. For the better 
security of the Mohawks, the flats at Fort Hunter were conveyed 
to the king, Nov. 4. 

June 18, Shikellimy came to Philadelphia to tell some bad 
news, and mentioned Margaret, a daughter of Madame Montour. 
He brought complaints and was sent to investigate reports. 

In the informal conference at Philadelphia, in September 1734, 
there were 13 Oneidas present and seven Onondagas. Carundo- 
wana, husband of Madame Montour, had been killed by the 
Catawbas. A little later, Hetequantagechty thought a false story 
was " owing to a certain Woman, whose old Age protects her 
from being punished for such Falsehoods ; that in the meantime 
they must resent it and hope to get rid of her." The Shawnees 
had said they would go still farther away, and some of the Iro- 
quois chiefs had gone to speak with them. Five Onondagas were 
at a conference in Philadelphia that year. In October Governor 
de Beauharnois had messages from the Onondagas to clear up 
some matters. 

Several Iroquois chiefs went to the Shawnees in 1735, to per- 



2y6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

suade them to return to Pennsylvania. Their speaker was Sago- 
handechty, a Seneca chief of high reputation, who spoke in a 
way resented by the Shawnees, and he was killed by them after 
the other deputies had returned. 

A council with the Six Nations, held at Stenton near Phila- 
delphia in 1736, was largely attended, because at this time the 
Onondaga council had resolved to settle the Susquehanna land 
question. On account of smallpox in Philadelphia, the confer- 
ence was held at the governor's house at Stenton. There were 
100 Iroquois present, 18 being chiefs. Pennsylvania had pur- 
chased lands of the Delawares; but Governor Dongan had a 
deed of trust from the Iroquois, whose claims were allowed, and 
they were paid accordingly. When the leading chiefs were gone, 
some drunken chiefs deeded the lands on the Delaware to the 
whites. Presents to the Iroquois were increased and those to 
the Delawares diminished, which the latter did not like. Weiser 
and Shikellimy were now agents for both Iroquois and whites : 

Whose Bodies, the Indians said were to be equally divided 
between them & us, we are to have one-half & they the other; 
that they had found Conrad faithfull and honest; that he is a 
true good Man, & had spoke their Words & our Words, and not 
his own ; and the Indians having presented him with a drest 
Skin to make him Shoes, and two deer Skins to keep him warm, 
they said as they had thus taken Care of our friend, they must 
recommend theirs (Shekallamy) to our notice. 

The Iroquois now claimed lands in Virginia and Maryland, 
and Pennsylvania supported them. The Shawnees were dis- 
satisfied with the land sales of this year, turned to the French, 
and refused to come back to the Susquehanna, where they had 
asked permission to live 45 years before. 

The fur trade at Niagara and Frontenac had greatly dimin- 
ished because the French were not allowed to sell brandy. Some 
voyageurs were seized and fined by them that year for taking 
furs toward Oswego for better prices. They did as they pleased. 

An interesting report was made in 1736 on the New York and 
Canadian Iroquois, as well as other nations. It is attributed to 
Joncaire, but more reasonably to Chauvignerie, and its moderate 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 2"]J 

estimates are in marked contrast with the larger ones of others. 
At Montreal he distinguished between the Iroquois and others 
there. Of the former there were 366 warriors, and at Toniata 
there were 10 more. In New York the Onondagas had 200 war- 
riors, the Mohawks 80, the Oneidas 100, the Cayugas 120, the 
Senecas 350, and the Tuscaroras 250. There were a few Iro- 
quois at Niagara, and he did not report those in Pennsylvania 
and Ohio. 

There was continual trouble between the Iroquois and the 
southern and western Indians, and Weiser and Shikellimy were 
sent to Onondaga about this in February 1737, arriving there in 
April. Weiser nearly perished on the way. The governor of Vir- 
ginia wanted the Iroquois chiefs to come to Williamsburg and 
there treat of peace with the Catawbas and Cherokees, but they 
refused, yet agreed to a year's truce. Weiser returned in the 
spring. Parties were out, ignorant of the truce, and the Iro- 
quois killed three Catawba hunters and some horses. Since 
April eight others had been killed, and the Catawbas said these 
ought to be avenged before peace was made. The Cherokees 
had met an Iroquois party and sent peace deputies. The Iro- 
quois were advised to make peace with both. 

Lieutenant Governor Clarke had a conference at Albany with 
the Six Nations in June 1737. After condoling some deaths, 
according to custom, they said Clarke spoke roughly to them 
and they would answer in the same way. He had reproved 
them for letting the French come to Irondequoit ; how came they 
at Crown Point, which was English land? The English had 
heard that the Senecas and Cayugas had sold their Susquehanna 
lands, on which the Shawnees lived, and they might go to De- 
troit, which the English did not like. They replied that they 
had sold but a small piece, a great way from the Shawnees. The 
trouble was between them and Pennsylvania, but they would 
try to prevent their removal. 

On the general question of Susquehanna lands, Canassatego 
had once said that the Susquehannas had a right to sell their 
lands till they were conquered in 1677. Their title then ceased. 



278 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

At this council the chiefs said the New York colony was like a 
great ship moored to an elmtree. Because the tree was perish- 
able, the anchor was carried behind the great hill at Onondaga, 
where they would always care for it. This figure was often 
used. They refused to sell land south of Lake Ontario, for, 
wherever the whites settled, the deer and beaver disappeared. 
Irondequoit was in the Seneca country, and they could not sell 
other men's lands. 

In 1738 Clarke had prevented the establishment of a French 
post, and had sent an interpreter, a smith and three others to 
live with the Senecas. In the south the Iroquois had attacked 
the Catawbas east of the mountains. 

In 1739 Indians brought word that 30 boats, with 120 French- 
men, were going from Crown Point to Wood creek to form a 
settlement there. They now claimed all land to the sources of 
streams tributary to the St Lawrence, but would give a deed of 
gift to the Mohawks of the land from Crown Point to the portage 
as a hunting ground. The claim was that of conquest. 

In July a party of French and Indians went to attack the 
Cherokees and others in Carolina and Georgia. The Iroquois 
chiefs were unable to keep some young Mohawks from joining 
them, and others favored these parties. The French Indians 
often passed through New York on these southern forays, mark- 
ing their camps with pictures and crosses. The Iroquois said 
they would not make peace with the Catawbas and Cherokees 
till they asked for it. 

Lieutenant Governor Clarke held a council with the Six Nations 
Aug. 16, 1740, smallpox having prevented the annual council 
the year before. He admitted all nations under English pro- 
tection into the covenant chain, both southward and westward 
as far as the Mississippi, and had heard of an Onondaga embassy 
to the French the last summer. They said they had been there 
for the advantage of all. The belt given to bind them to the 
southern Indians was accepted and would be kept at Onon- 
daga. The hatchet against Spain was refused, as they were not a 
people to cross the sea, and the Flatheads must ask for peace. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 279 

They also addressed the French in September, saying they 
did not know why their people were then at Albany. They 
mourned Joncaire's death, replanting the tree of peace and asking 
the return of his son. The older Joncaire told Charlevoix of the 
oil springs in 1721, and both of his sons became influential with 
the Indians. They also wanted the blacksmith back again, hav- 
ing retained the whole forge for him. Laforge was invited and 
permitted to spend a year with his friends at Onondaga. That 
year the famous Abbe Francois Picquet built a strong fort at 
the Mission of the Two Mountains. 

The Senecas sent a message in August 1741 to Governor de 
Beauharnois, whom they called Skenon, or Peace, saying they 
were famished, but wanted the blacksmith back, should any of 
them remain alive. Laforge, the blacksmith, could not come till 
the next year. His wife was reared among the Onondagas, and 
they wanted her there. In fact, the French smith left the Sen- 
ecas because they gave all their work to the English smith, and 
he feared dying of hunger, not earning enough to buy an ear of 
corn. The New York Iroquois wished simply to trade at the 
best markets and that no coercion should be used either at 
Niagara or Oswego. At this time Beauharnois raised or installed 
some Canadian Iroquois chiefs. 

Chapter 16 

Land bought at Irondequoit. Six Nations. Catawbas and Cherokees at 
peace. Canassatego and the Delawares. Zinzendorf. Bartram's jour- 
ney. Lancaster council. Black Prince. Name for Maryland. Cataw- 
bas. Moravians at Onondaga. Six Nations dissatisfied. Scalp bounties. 
Colonel Johnson. Oquaga Indians. Mississagas. Young Indians 
desire war. Johnson at Onondaga. Treaties at Lancaster and Logstown. 

Notwithstanding French opposition, Clarke got a deed of the 
land at Irondequoit from the Seneca chiefs by means of those 
sent as usual to live in their country. They were ordered to go 
around the land with the chiefs and mark the trees, that it might 
be known what was English land, the tract being 30 miles square. 
The deed was signed by three Seneca sachems, the consideration 
being £100 and " sundry good causes." 



280 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

He persuaded the Assembly to fortify Oswego and to give £100 
to feed the Indians, who were in great want from the length 
and severity of the winter. He also effected a treaty of peace 
between the Six Nations and the Caughnawagas, or Praying 
Indians, at Montreal. 

The Cherokees and Catawbas of Carolina gladly accepted the 
peace offered by the Six Nations. The former sent them some 
beads, a pipe, an eagle's tail, and a white flag they had taken 
from the French. The Catawbas sent a belt of wampum and 
calumet, with some tobacco, as tokens of acceptance. The Iro- 
quois belt would be kept in one of the Cherokee towns. The 
Creeks also desired a treaty of peace. Some Cayugas came to 
Philadelphia about payment for lands, but no council was held, 
as no others came. 

Clarke held a council with the Six Nations in June 1742. He 
was sorry they had forgotten their old way of living in castles, 
but some had promised to rebuild them and be no longer scat- 
tered. A Cherokee deputy had been to the Senecas, and the way 
was now clear. The nations to be included in the southern cove- 
nant were the Catawbas, Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws and 
Choctaws. He did not think a settlement at Irondequoit expedi- 
ent yet, as people feared a French war. 

The Onondagas and Senecas went to see Governor de Beau- 
harnois in July 1742, and Onowaragon, a great Onondaga sachem, 
spoke. The Senecas also asked that Laforge's son might be their 
smith and forbidden to be rude. Privately they said the Onon- 
dagas, on their way home, took down the French flag when they 
came near Oswego and raised the English. The Senecas had 
minds of their own, carrying the French flag in spite of the Eng- 
lish, but used it so much that it was worn out, and they wanted 
another. 

Beauharnois said that young Joncaire might still live with the 
Senecas and young Laforge might be their smith. They had 
done well with the flag and he would have reproved the Onon- 
dagas had he known this sooner. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 28l 

The Senecas still sent parties against the Catawbas or Flat- 
heads. The Shawnees proposed moving to the prairie of the 
Maskoutins, but this was the wish of the French, and the Iro- 
quois must not be displeased. An exaggerated account of a 
collision between the latter and the Virginians reached Beau- 
harnois, and he tried to cause a rupture by means of this. The 
Onondagas did not respond or accept his presents, and his 
attempt failed. In this skirmish some were killed, and there 
were long deliberations on it. 

There was a great council in Philadelphia that year; and, 
while the Iroquois were hospitably received, the Delawares were 
notified that they might attend, but at their own expense. The 
Onondaga Canassatego was speaker and spoke thus of Weiser, or 
Tarachawagon : 

When we adopted him we divided him into two equal Parts; 
one we kept for ourselves, and one we left for You. He has had 
a great Deal of Trouble with Us, wore out his Shoes in our Mes- 
sages, and dirty'd his Clothes by living amongst Us, so that he 
is as nasty as an Indian. 

They gave him a present with which to buy new clothes and 
asked, the governor to be equally generous. The Senecas did not 
come to this council because of the famine among them. One 
man, it was said, had killed and eaten his own children. They 
thought the goods received for the lands insufficient. Canas- 
satego said : 

We therefore desire, if you have the Keys of the Proprietor's 
Chest, you will open it, and take out a little more for us. We 
know our Lands are now become more valuable; the white 
People think we don't know their Value, but we are sensible 
that Land is Everlasting, and the few Goods we receive for it 
are soon Worn out and Gone. 

The chief had examined the Delaware deeds, given 50 years 
before, and said the Delawares ought to be taken by the head 
and shaken severely. Onas was right, and he said to them : 
" How came you to take upon you to sell land at all? We con- 
quer'd You, we made Women of you, you know you are Women, 
and can no more sell Land than Women." After other reproofs 



282 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

he passed sentence. They might live' either at Shamokin or 
Wyoming, " and then we shall have you more under our Eye, 
and shall see how You behave. Don't deliberate, but remove 
away, and take this Belt of Wampum." He summed up as fol- 
lows and dismissed them : 

This String of Wampum serves to forbid You, Your Children 
and Grand Children, to the latest Posterity, from ever meddling 
in Land Affairs, neither you nor any who shall descend from You, 
are ever hereafter to presume to sell any Land, for which Purpose 
you are to Preserve this string in Memory of what your Uncles 
have this Day given You in Charge. We have some other Busi- 
ness to transact with our Brethren, and therefore depart the Coun- 
cil and consider what has been said to you. 

The Delawares left the council as ordered, and it soon con- 
cluded. Weiser conducted the large Iroquois delegation to his 
house in Tulpehocken, where Count Zinzendorf had an inter- 
esting meeting with the chiefs. He was much impressed by 
them and received a string of wampum inviting him to Onondaga. 

There was a good deal of negotiation about the encounter in 
Virginia, but at last all was ready for a final settlement. Shi- 
kellimy and Saghsidowa were sent to Onondaga in April 1743 
and were told that a way there had been cleared for the former 
and Weiser. One of those killed was a cousin of Shikellimy and 
he was condoled. The Six Nations sent a message about the 
Juniata lands, but none to the governor of Virginia, because he 
had not washed off the blood and taken the hatchet out of their 
head. If he would do this, they would talk to him. He readily 
consented if Weiser would do what was necessary. The deputies 
set out in company with John Bartram, the naturalist, and Lewis 
Evans, the geographer, reaching Onondaga July 21. Both Bar 7 
tram and Weiser wrote full accounts, according to their per- 
sonal tastes, and Evans made a map of the route. The trip was 
highly satisfactory, and arrangements were made for another 
council at Lancaster Pa. Tochanuntie, or the Black Prince, 
and Canassatego were prominent in these affairs. 

That year it was reported from Detroit that 600 Senecas, Onon- 
dagas and other Iroquois had settled at the mouth of White 
river and were friendly to the French, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 283 

War was declared in 1744, and Virginia and Maryland were 
therefore very conciliatory, so that the Lancaster council was a 
great occasion. Witham Marshe gave a full and picturesque 
account. The Iroquois party numbered 252, Canassatego march- 
ing at the head. 

They placed their cabins according to the rank each nation 
of them holds in their grand council. The Onondagoes nation 
was placed on the right hand and upper end, then the others 
according to their several dignities. 

Madame Montour was there, and Marshe gave good descrip- 
tions of Canassatego and the Black Prince : 

Canassatego was a tall, well-made man ; had a very full chest, 
and brawny limbs. He had a manly countenance, mixt with a 
good-natured smile. He was about 60 years of age ; very active, 
strong, and had a surprising liveliness in his speech, which I 
observed in the discourse between him, Mr Weiser and some of 
the sachems. Tachanuntie, another sachem, a chief of the same 
nation, was a tall, thin man; old, and not so well featured as 
Canassatego. I believe he may be near the same age with him. 
He is one of the greatest warriors that ever the Five Nations 
produced, and has been a great war-captain for many years past. 
He is also called the Black Prince. 

By invitation of the Maryland commissioner, 24 chiefs dined 
with the principal white men present, occupying two tables out 
of five. " They fed lustily, drank heartily, and were very greasy 
before they finished their dinner, for, by the bye, they made no 
use of their forks." 

The Cayuga chief, Gachradodon, gave a new name to Mary- 
land, which was Tocaryhogon, Occupying the Middle or Honor- 
able Place. He was praised by the governor, who said he would 
have made a good figure in the forum of ancient Rome, and a 
commissioner declared he never had seen so just an action in the 
great orators he had heard. Notwithstanding the good cheer, 
when it came to signing the treaty, they " were obliged to put 
about the glass pretty briskly," nor did all sign at once. Their 
right to the Virginia lands being challenged, Tochanuntie 
answered : 

We have the Right of Conquest — a Right too dearly Purchas'd, 
and which cost us too much Blood to give up without any Reason 



284 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

at all. . . All the World Knows we conquered the Several 
Nations living on Sasquehannah, Cohongoronton and on the 
Back of the Great Mountains in Virginia. The Conoy-uch-such- 
roona, Coch-nan-was-roona, Tokoa-irough-roona, and Con-nut- 
skirrough-roonaw, feel the effects of Our Conquests, being now 
a Part of our Nations, and their Lands at our Disposal. 

Neither Maryland nor Virginia admitted their rights, but both 
satisfied them, and presents and deeds were exchanged. The 
shrewd Iroquois went home feeling their power. There were 
strong French and English parties among them ; and, if they 
could remain neutral, both French and English would pay well 
for it. A projected treaty with the Catawbas was placed in 
Weiser's hands, and it was recommended that he should go to 
Onondaga. 

In 1744 Governor de Beauharnois heard that the English were 
about to settle on Wood creek, and that they had sent an alarm 
to the Iroquois. Four villages of the Canadian Mahicans, or 
Loups, had gone to the Senecas, and Joncaire would report what 
it meant. He was called Nitachinon, and much was expected 
from his influence. The Iroquois warned him to pass Oswego 
only at night, for the English had orders to take him, dead or 
alive. 

Governor Clinton had an Indian council, June 18, 1744. War 
had been declared, and troops and cannon sent to Oswego. The 
Iroquois would be ready, but would not strike the first blow or 
seize the French among them. They thought this wrong. 

Jan. 2, 1745, Weiser's son said he had been to Virginia and 
met some Iroquois coming from the Catawba war. " One of 
Shickelmy's Sons, to wit, Unhappy Jake, had been killed by the 
Catawbas, with five more of the Six Nations." The chief was 
condoled, and Weiser was willing to go to Onondaga about this, 
but doubted Catawba sincerity. He said : 

The Catawbaws are known to be a very Broud people, and 
have at several treatys they had with the Cherokees used high 
Expressions, and thought themself stout warriors for having 
deceived Garontowano (the Captain of the Company that was 
so treacherously killed) . ' . . . If that one article is true with 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 285 

them, that they will own they treacherously murdered Garonto- 
wano and some of his men, a peace no doubt will be made 
between these poor wretches. 

A peculiar party went to Onondaga in May 1745. On behalf 
of Pennsylvania went Conrad Weiser, Andrew Montour the half- 
breed, and Shikellimy and his son. Three Moravians also went : 
Spangenberg, Zeisberger and Schebosch. These desired to 
arrange for settling some Indians on the Susquehanna. They 
were on horseback, and the route was essentially that of Bar- 
tram in 1743; up the Susquehanna to Owego, and then across 
Tioga, Tompkins and Cortland counties to Onondaga, leaving 
Weiser's May 19 and reaching Onondaga June 6. The Six 
Nations were invited to a council at Williamsburg Va., but said 
it was too far. They would go to Philadelphia about the 
Catawba peace. Both embassies were successful, but in neither 
account is there any allusion to the business of the other. From 
this first Moravian visit came others, but no direct missionary 
work was done. The sole efforts were preparatory, in learning 
the language and gaining the confidence of the Iroquois. Not a 
sermon was preached, not a public service held. 

Early in 1745 the French made the Six Nations believe that 
the English meant to destroy them, and the Mohawks and 
Senecas combined, but were undeceived before the English quite 
lost their friendship. Indian enthusiasm waned. Governor 
Clinton held a council Oct. 5, and found that Joncaire had started 
the evil reports. Hendrick made a tiresome speech and there 
were land troubles again. Governor Clinton asked them to take 
up arms for the English, by a large belt, and they said they would 
if the French did not make satisfaction in two months. 

The Indians were tempted by an offer of £10 for male scalps, 
but did not give way, and the historian, William Smith, said of 
the Albany council : 

Although this conference was held in a style of dignity and 
solemnity which has seldom if ever before been witnessed; 
although men of the first talents and respectability, from four 
different colonies, had united their influence and exerted their 



286 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

eloquence in persuading these savages to take part in the war, yet 
the characteristic cunning of that people was proof against all 
these arts. 

Three white men wintered at Onondaga about this time, and 
a fatal epidemic troubled the Senecas. The Abbe Picquet and 
his warriors were at the attack on Fort Saratoga, which was 
destroyed in November. 

Governor de Beauharnois held a council with the Iroquois in 
July and was told that they carried the French flag past 
Oswego on their return and would remain neutral. It was hard 
for all to do this, with their opportunities, for the regular offer 
was £10 for scalps of males over 16 years old, £5 for those under 
that, and double these rates for prisoners. So some went to war, 
and the Mississagas joined the Six Nations in this. 

During the war, in 1746, the French Indians often came near 
and even into Albany. Pennsylvania and Connecticut refused 
to help procure Iroquois aid. All was gloomy, but a new light 
appeared. William Johnson had been made colonel of the Mo- 
hawks and made himself felt. Colden said of him : 

Mr William Johnson was indefatigable among the Mohawks ; 
he dressed himself after the Indian Manner, and made frequent 
Dances, according to their Custom when they excite to War, 
and used all the Means he could think of, at a considerable 
Expence. . . in order to engage them heartily in the War 
against Canada. 

Some of the chiefs would not join, as the war was not in their 

interests, and the other nations agreed with them. The young 

Mohawks favored war. Governor Clinton called a council in 

August, and the difference of opinion was curiously marked. 

Colden said : 

These Disputes, however, continued so far, that the Mohawks, 
and the other Five Nations, could not go in Company to Albany ; 
the Mohawks marched on one side of the River, while the other 
Nations went on the other side. [There are two Roads from the 
Mohawks Castle to Schenectada, one on each side of the Mohawk 
River.] When the Indians came near the Town of Albany, on 
the 8th of August, Mr Johnson put himself at the Head of the 
Mohawks, dressed and painted after the Manner of an Indian 
War-Captain ; and the Indians who followed him, were likewise 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 287 

dressed and painted, as is usual with them when they set out in 
War. The Indians saluted the Governor as they passed the Fort, 
by a running fire ; which his Excellency ordered to be answered 
by a Discharge of some Cannon from the Fort. 

Through Johnson's influence the Mississagas and Six Nations 

threw clown the war belt and declared war against the French 

at this council, in which Massachusetts united with New York. 

Colden presided. The official interpreter was ill, and it was 

thought best to have a chief give the address to the Indians. 

In the choice a modern division appears : 

At first a Mohawk Sachem was pitched upon ; but the Sachems 
themselves told us, That for some time past a kind of Party- 
Division among the Six Nations had subsisted : That the Mo- 
hawks, Onondages, and Senekas form'd one Party ; and the 
Oneydoes, Tuscaroras, and Cayugas, the other: That, as the 
Mohawks might be suspected to be more partial to the English, 
it would be of more Use to employ one of the other Party ; and 
an Oneydo Sachem was proposed for that Purpose. 

Colden, who made the above note, saw the war dance at this 
time, and thus described it : 

They were painted as when they go to War. The Dance is a 
slow and solemn Motion, accompanied with a pathetick Song. 
The Indians in their Turns perform this singly, but it is not easy 
to describe the Particularities of it. 

Sep. 26 the Oquaga Indians marched in in single file, firing as 
they passed the fort and receiving a salute from the cannon. 
They said they would go to the war, but were late in getting the 
summons. It was reported that Weiser would bring some from 
the Susquehanna, but no others came. At this time the Missis- 
sagas were called a seventh nation, living north of Lake Erie, 
but nothing came of this. 

Smallpox was quite fatal, and this stopped some of Johnson's 
parties : 

While he was pressing them to this Purpose, one of the 
Sachems who had promised to head a Party from the Canajohary 
Castle, said, You seem to think that we are Brutes, that we have 
no Sense of the Loss of our dearest Relations, and some of them 
the bravest Men we had in our Nation : You must allow us Time 
to bewail our Misfortune. 



2 88 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Many of the Canadian Iroquois went against the English, and 
the governor held a council with 34 New York Iroquois June 
30, 1746. 

In 1747 an Indian party under Walter Butler, killed some 
French near Crown Point, but had time to take only six of their 
scalps. Other parties, in Canada and elsewhere, brought in 
scalps and prisoners. The Six Nations promised Johnson to 
get out all the men they could against the French. Besides two 
bands containing 119 men, he had seven other parties out. He 
desired a law against selling liquor to the Mohawks, and spoke 
of two " grand villains " who were nuisances in this way. 

Governor Clinton talked with some Mohawks in July. They 
had been scouting and wished their brethren fortified at Cana- 
joharie. He gave Johnson orders for this. The latter had a 
talk with some Oquaga Indians and hoped to stop the war with 
the Flatheads. The Tionontaties and Ottawas were ready to 
fight against the French, and the Six Nations thought they 
could destroy Canada alone if Crown Point were out of the way. 
He could get nothing to Oswego by the river, as scalping had 
commenced there. If he had supplies, he could bring 1000 Indians 
into the field in six weeks. The great Cayuga chief, Ottrawana, 
had informed him by private belts that the western Indians 
wished to destroy Niagara, and they asked leave of the Six 
Nations. He sent Lieutenant Visgher to Oswego with goods, 
but it was dangerous work, a strong guard being needed. Some 
Senecas and Flatheads were coming with a very large belt, which 
must mean a great deal of news. Aug. 19 he heard that 500 of 
the French had advanced from Crown Point to Lake George, 
where they encamped on an island and sent out parties. He 
proposed going against them with 300 Indians and as many 
more colonists. Others joined him on the way, but no state- 
ment was made of the result. He wanted plenty of money to 
pay for scalps, as ready pay was expected. He had also secured 
the friendship of a principal Seneca chief and gained that nation 
for the English. 

De Chauvignerie was sent to Onondaga from Quebec to con- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 289 

dole those who had died from smallpox. He wished to make 
peace and gave a belt 6 inches broad and 7 feet long. They told 
him they had taken up the English hatchet against the French, 
and he went off. There was an invasion of the island of Mon- 
treal in June, by a canoe party of English, Mohawks and Sen- 
ecas. Hendrick, here called Theianoguen, or White Head, led 
the party, of whom 16 were captured. It was reassuring to the 
French to know that the Indians of the Sault went against the 
enemy. The Mohawks killed many of the French, and opinions 
were divided on the neutrality of the rest. July 23 a party of 61 
Iroquois deputies came to Quebec and were there till Sep. 24. 
They were kindly received, but did nothing. Some Senecas 
expected did not come. 

Shikellimy reported a council at Onondaga that year, whence 
messengers were to be sent to Albany and Canada. Weiser 
met 11 Onondagas in Pennsylvania, returning from the Catawba 
war. There had been 14 Cayugas with them, of whom five were 
killed. Weiser found Shikellimy and his family sick and some 
had died. He gave them medicine with good results, but the 
chief was in a pitiable state, and Weiser asked aid for him because 
of past services. This was given and he recovered. 

Some Iroquois warriors came to Philadelphia from Ohio. 
The old chiefs wanted peace and the young men war. They 
needed arms for this and wondered that the English showed so 
little energy. 

At last the Young Indians, the Warriors & Captains consulted 
together & resolved to take up the English Hatchet against the 
will of the old People, and to lay their old People aside as of no 
use but in time of Peace. 

In March 1748 some Mohawks were killed near Johnson's 
house, and they were angry, saying that the English got them 
into a war and then did not help them, Shirley's expedition 
being given up. 

Governor Clinton had a conference with the Iroquois and their 
allies in July. He wished them to keep their young men from 
the Catawba war. Colonel Johnson had been to Onondaga, and 



29O NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

an exchange of prisoners was to be made, as promised. The 
Indians said they would no longer suffer Joncaire or other 
Frenchmen to live in their country. Waiting for a war call, 
and so not hunting, they were impoverished and ought to have 
relief. Johnson had a trying conference with them at his house 
in August. He had agreed with a smith to go to the Senecas 
for six months for £70, but there was no bellows there worth a 
pin. He thought he could get another smith for the same and 
had sent six months' provision to Onondaga, there being no 
food there. 

His journey to Onondaga in April and May, he said was " the 
most troublesome, fatiguing journey " he ever took, but the kind 
manner in which the Six Nations received him made amends for all. 
They were out of humor at the poor results of the war and needed 
corn, pork and other things. The giving up of the Canadian expe- 
dition seemed to him ruinous and disgusted the Indians. The Sen- 
ecas had already expelled Joncaire. The Todirighroones, or Sapo- 
nies, a tribe of the Catawbas, were now allies of the Six Nations 
and attended some councils. The Scaniadarighroones, or Nanti- 
cokes, did the same. They had no vote, but could prefer requests 
by virtue of their adoption. 

The Mohawks made no Canadian incursions that year, but 
Governor de la Galissoniere had a council with the Six Nations 
Nov. 2, 1748, Cachointioni, (Kaghswuhtioni) the Onondaga chief, 
being present. He was then a French partizan, but afterward 
became a warm friend of Johnson. They signed a declaration 
that they were not subject to Great Britain. 

The Cayugas refused to aid the English unless they would 
fight like men, which they had not yet done, but word came 
from Ohio that George Croghan was informed " by the Indians 
that there were 730 Men of us of the Six Nations settled here on 
Ohio & able to go to War, exclusive of other Nations which will 
make up as many more." 

A treaty was held at Lancaster July 19, 1748, at which Scar- 
rooyady was speaker. At the request of the Six Nations, the 
Miamis were received as friends by the English. Weiser was 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 2()I 

soon after sent to Logstown to confer with the Indians there, 
and was shown the numbers of warriors near the Ohio by bun- 
dles of sticks. There were 74 Mohawks, 15 Oneidas, 35 Onon- 
dagas, 20 Cayugas, and 163 Senecas among these; not half of 
what had been previously reported. He held several councils 
with the Iroquois and others there, but Johnson questioned the 
character and importance of these. 

Chapter 17 

Abbe Picquet's mission. Shikellimy dies. Nanticokes and Shawnees on the 
Susquehanna. De Celoron on the Ohio. French activity. Iroquois emi- 
grants. Johnson buys Onondaga lake and shores. Kalm. Death of Canas- 
satego. Cammerhoff visits the Six Nations. Peace with the Catawbas. 
Johnson resigns office. French troops on the Ohio. Iroquois claims. War 
with Cherokees. Tuscarora towns. Johnson at Onondaga. Tanacharisson, 
the Half King. Moravians in New York. Colonial congress at Albany. 
Mutual complaints. Land treaty with Pennsylvania. Fraudulent purchase 
of Wyoming. Scarrooyady, the new Half King. 

In 1748 the Abbe Picquet went to select a spot for a new 
settlement and Indian mission on the St Lawrence, choosing the 
mouth of the Oswegatchie river for its military importance. He 
went there in May 1749, building a storehouse and fort, armed 
with five small cannon. It was attacked and burned by the Mo- 
hawks Oct. 26. This was on the site of Ogdensburg, and its 
growth was remarkable. It is stated that there were six families 
there in 1749, 87 in 1750, and 396 in 1751. Mr Shea said they 
were mostly Onondagas and Cayugas, and Picquet's biographer 
says " he reckoned as many as three thousand in his colony," 
which of course no one believes. The same writer also says 
that these were of the most influential Iroquois families, the 
Five Nations having 25,000 people. 

While such statements are extravagant, there can be no ques- 
tion that the post was a thorn in the side of New York. In the 
same extravagant way this French writer goes on to say: 

The war parties which departed and returned continually, filled 
the Mission with so many prisoners that their numbers fre- 
quently surpassed that of the warriors, rendering it necessary to 
empty the villages and send them to Headquarters. In fine a 
number of other expeditions of which M. Picquet was the prin- 
cipal author have procured the promotion of several officers. 



2 9 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

His eulogist ends the list of expeditions in which the warlike 
priest was engaged by saying: " M. du Quesne said that the 
Abbe Picquet was worth more than ten regiments." 

Shikellimy died in the winter of 1748-49, and his eldest son 
for a time took his place. Some Seneca and Onondaga chiefs 
•came to Philadelphia July i, 1749, expecting to meet others on 
the road who had not yet arrived. They complained of squat- 
ters on Pennsylvania lands, and were told they had been forcibly 
removed. When they left, they were to tell the coming deputies 
to return, but these arrived Aug. 16, with 280 in the party. They 
proposed sales of land and had placed the Nanticokes at the 
mouth of the Juniata, where others from Maryland would join 
them. The land offered was bought after several conferences 
and the deed duly signed. The Nanticokes and Shawnees were 
willing to go to Schahandoana or Wyoming, and had sent two 
belts to the Six Nations to confirm this. 

The French wished to secure the Ohio, and De Celoron went 
there, took possession and expelled the English traders. He was 
at the Chautauqua portage July 16, 1749, his trip causing much 
excitement. Soon after the Shawnees met the Six Nations at 
Philadelphia, greeted them heartily, and said they were coming 
to live nearer. Peace had been declared, but the French tried 
to have the Iroquois attack the Ottawas after this. They at 
first refused to return Indian prisoners, but yielded at last. 

Governor Clinton for a time had all the French prisoners in 
his hands, and kept the Iroquois from sending deputies to Can- 
ada. Before this they had made peace and exchanged prison- 
ers separately. It was necessary to send Arent Stephens to 
Oswego to talk with the western Indians there, lest they should 
think themselves despised. He went first to the Six Nations, 
announced peace and condoled the death of two sachems. The 
French used to do this and raise up others, but Johnson said he 
would stop that. He also instructed the Mohawks to leave the 
exchange to the governor, thus upsetting French schemes. 
About that time 147 canoes brought 1177 western Indians to 
Oswego, and its growing trade alarmed the French, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 293 

In January 1750 the French sent several belts to the Iroquois 
and were very active among the Indians. At this time English 
traders held Indian children as pledges or pawns ; but Governor 
Clinton had them sent back. In February Johnson sent a belt 
through the Six Nations to tell them that the French were mus- 
tering men, and they had better keep their warriors at home, 
lest surprise should be attempted. The Shawnees were now 
moving nearer the Iroquois and brought about two bushels of 
wampum, which was lodged with Johnson to be divided among 
the Six Nations. It was a greater quantity than he had ever seen. 

English traders were scattered all over the western country 
at this time, to the great injury of the French trade. Governor 
de la Jonquiere thought he would be justified in seizing their 
goods. He said the English sent messages to the Indians to 
take the tomahawk against the French, and with these sent " belts 
of wampum, painted red, the calumet, English flags, &c." Jon- 
caire went to the Ohio to bring the Indians there to the French 
interests. If this could be done, they might at least destroy the 
Six Nations. Father Picquet was trying to have them settle at 
his mission. In May the Cayugas told the French they would 
be neutral, but they could not control their emigrants. 

Governor Glen, of South Carolina, complained that the Sen- 
ecas, there called Nottawagees, also the Five Nations, Delawares 
and others were likely to destroy the Catawbas, a brave and 
friendly people. Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, stated 
that many of the Iroquois had settled on branches of the Missis- 
sippi and were more numerous there than in New York. The 
French and the Council at Onondaga were both alarmed at this. 
He, himself, was concerned that the Council at Onondaga could 
not retain their people. He heard that these Iroquois emigrants, 
with the Shawnees, Delawares, Owendats, or Hurons, and 
Twightwees, or Miamis, made a body of 1500 or 2000 men. 

The Miamis and Hurons sent a message to the Six Nations 
and others living on the Ohio, that they gave up the French and 
desired alliance with them. They had a favorable answer, which 
included their fathers, the Grand Council at Onondaga. Jon- 



2 94 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

caire had spoken to the Six Nations on his way to the Ohio, and 
a Cayuga sachem came to Johnson to report his words. He 
brought a lead plate by which Joncaire took possession of 
various points. Several such plates were buried in suitable places. 

Johnson said that smiths must be sent to the Six Nations, 
but no liquor : " It is actually the ruin of them." The French 
were again seeking permission to build a fort at Onondaga, but 
Johnson defeated this by purchasing land there soon after. The 
smiths ought to have about £20 for presents to the Indians of the 
castles where they went. They often had more. Kalm, the 
botanist, was at Niagara that year, and said the French were so 
anxious for trade that they supplied the Indians all the brandy 
and rum they wanted, which the priests had always before 
prevented. Strong drink brought the Indians there. 

Weiser came to Onondaga in 1750 in the interests of Virginia, 

but could effect nothing. The French party had the upper hand ; 

and he thought that nation lost to the English. The Onondagas 

notified him of Canassatego's death before he got there, and 

allowed him to condole his death at once and hold a council, as 

he had come so far. This was without precedent. One house 

still remained east of the creek. Weiser said : 

Our Friend Canassatego was buried to day before I came to 
Onondago, and Solconwanaghly, our other good friend, died some 
time before. He that is on the head of affairs now is a proffessed 
Roman Catholick, and altogether devoted to the French. The 
French Priests have made a hundred Converts of the Onon- 
dagers, that is to say Men, Women and Children, dressed in 
Silver and Gold, and I believe that the English Interest among 
the Six Nations can be of no consideration any more. The 
Indians speak with contempt of the New Yorkers and Albany 
People, and much the same of the rest of the English Colonies. 

In this year occurred the notable visit to the Six Nations of 
the Moravians Cammerhoff and Zeisberger. Some years before 
the Moravians planned Indian missions in New York, and a 
successful one was founded in Dutchess county. This was 
stopped by the authorities, owing to a violent prejudice against 
the United Brethren. Their attention had also been drawn to 
the Iroquois, and John Christopher Pyrlaeus and his wife went 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 295 

to the Mohawk village of Canajoharie to study the language 
there, arriving July 17, 1743. Their stay was short, but he 
returned with Anton Seyffert and tried to reach Onondaga. The 
Oneidas would not let them pass. Zeisberger and Post tried the 
same route in 1745 with less success, but the former reached 
Onondaga the same year with Spangenberg. When the Iroquois 
were in Philadelphia in 1749, the Moravians consulted some of 
them, and Cammerhoff and Zeisberger went to Onondaga by way 
of Cayuga, seeing some Cayuga towns otherwise unmentioned. 
From that lake the trail passed the foot of Owasco and Skane- 
ateles lakes, reaching Onondaga over the hills. The notes on 
towns and trails are of interest. At Onondaga they were heartily 
welcomed by Canassatego, before whose house floated a large 
English flag. They also visited the Seneca towns at much per- 
sonal discomfort and peril. Their request that two Moravians 
should live at Onondaga and learn the language was at last 
granted, and they returned home. A few weeks after Canas- 
satego died, nor did Cammerhoff long survive. 

Though some of the Catawbas were at peace with the Six 
Nations, the war still went on and was a constant annoyance to 
settlers. In 175 1 peace was formally made at Albany. The 
Catawbas " came down from their quarters, singing, with their 
colors pointed to the ground, and having lit their pipes, the king 
and one more, put them into the mouths of the chief sachems, of 
the Six Nations, who smoked out of them." They also gave a 
belt having all their towns on it, to show that all wished peace. 
Next day " the chief sachem of the Senecas lit a pipe, and put it 
into the mouths of each of the Catawbas, who smoked out of it 
and then he returned it among the Six Nations." They would 
complete the peace when prisoners were exchanged, but it 
amounted to little. 

That year the Six Nations forbade the French making forts on 
their lands. In their alliance they had now nine castles of Far 
Indians, or Mississagas, who were Ojibwas or Chippewas. These 
were settled at Caniahaga and sided with Great Britain. 



296 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Colonel Johnson became discouraged at the lack of means and 
energy, offered his resignation, and sent a belt to all the nations 
that he was no longer their agent. At the council in July they 
asked that he might be reinstated. Receiving no definite answer, 
the Mohawks repeated the request the next year. He was quite 
a trader, and the Albany people were jealous, for it was said that 
they had then " no other view in life than that of making money." 

All this time Johnson was active among the Indians, and in 
1766 told of a curious transaction of this year. The French were 
again scheming for a fort at Onondaga, and he interfered for 
the public good. Holding a conference with the Onondagas, he 
asked them to grant him Onondaga lake, with the land for 2 miles 
around, and he would make them a handsome present. They 
signed a deed and he paid them £350 before witnesses. The 
Assembly refused to reimburse him, but granted him the tract, 
and he took no farther steps. He bequeathed this to his son, 
but it was a dead loss. 

Both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania tried to have the Mo- 
hawks settle on their frontier as a means of defense. " The 
Bunt" came to Oswego in 1751, bringing an account of the 
French forts farther west. A large French force had gone to 
Niagara, and another had crossed from Lake Erie to the Ohio, 
by way of Chautauqua, meaning to drive the English from that 
river. He was an influential Onondaga, a great friend of John- 
son, and did much for the English. 

George Croghan and Andrew Montour held several confer- 
ences at Logstown, early in 175 1, with chiefs of the Six Nations 
living on the Ohio, on French aggressions there. A Dunkard 
tried to buy land on a branch of the Ohio, but " the Indians made 
answer that it was not in their Power to dispose of Lands ; that 
he must apply to the Council at Onondago." Weiser was sent 
there in June, but met the Indians at Albany, delivered his mes- 
sage and returned. 

Governor de la Jonquiere held a council with some Onondagas 
July 11, 1751. They claimed the Ohio lands by conquest, and 
he said no settlements should be made without their consent. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 297 

This was thought a mistake, as La Salle discovered the river 
when no Iroquois were there, but only Shawnees, who were 
friends of the French. The Iroquois claim was from the Erie 
conquest. The Cherokees had killed 18 Iroquois, and Jonquiere 
wished the latter to make war on them, thinking this would 
help the French. He died May 17, 1752, and was succeeded by 
De Longueuil. 

War parties went against the Cherokees in 1752. In that year 
three Moravians visited Onondaga, and there were French tra- 
ders there from time to time. J. Martin Mack, Gottfried Rundt, 
and David Zeisberger left Bethlehem for that place, via New 
York, July 26, reaching there Aug. 20. Mack soon returned, 
leaving the others to study the language, and from them we have 
a list of the Tuscarora towns. These, were Canaseraga, Gana- 
tisgoa afterward contracted to S'ganatees, Tiachsochratota, and 
Tiochrungwe. Johnson came there that year, but only as a 
trader, buying ginseng largely. They returned Nov. 25. Many 
Indians were employed in digging ginseng and the visiting 
Moravians got part of their supplies in this way. 

In April 1753, runners came to Johnson from Onondaga to 
say that French and Indians were assembling at Oswegatchie, 
equipped for war. They would send word whether they were 
coming against them or the Ohio Indians. Soon after a French 
army passed Oswego on the way to the Ohio, to make good their 
claims there, even by force. On account of these grasping claims, 
many Indians left Oswegatchie. 

Andrew Montour went to Onondaga that year to invite the 
Iroquois to a council at Winchester Va., but they declined going. 
Conrad Weiser also came to the Mohawks by way of New York, 
intending to go to Onondaga, and said the Six Nations were 
afraid of the French. Johnson showed him his commission as 
Indian superintendent and treated him kindly, saying he might 
go on, but seeming not to wish this. Governor Clinton was 
pleased that he went no farther. When Montour was at Onon- 
daga in February, he " said he saw plainly the Indians were 
frighted, and that there was a Strong Party for the French 



298 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

among the Indians, and the Senecas particularly were in their 
Interest." He was there again in August with messages from 
Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

Gov. Danvers Osborne dying suddenly, Gov. James De- 
lancey succeeded him and Colonel Johnson was sent to Onon- 
daga to bury the hatchet, which had not been formally done 
and the Iroquois were sensitive on these points. Governor 
Delancey said : 

I thought it would be for His Majesty's Service that once in 
some years a person with a publick character and some small 
present should be sent up to Onondago which is the place of the 
General meeting of the five Nations. 

Johnson entered Onondaga Castle Sep. 8, 1753, being met by 
the sachems a mile from the town. Kaghswughtioni, or Red 
Head, made a speech, to which Johnson replied, condoling the 
deaths of three noted sachems. It was a saying among them that, 
when the fire went out at Onondaga, they would no longer be a 
people. It now burned low, and he came to rekindle it. They 
thanked him for speaking in their manner. He found some 
Frenchmen there and came by the lake himself. In May he had 
referred to a council held at Onondaga a year earlier, in which 
the Six Nations resolved not to go to Virginia, but were willing 
to treat with that colony at Albany. He did not understand 
what was meant by a conference at Logstown. Not an Iro- 
quois had gone there, and, if wampum was left, it must have been 
with the Shawnees. Mere messages were valueless, " unless 
attended or confirmed by a string or belt of wampum, which they 
look upon as we our letters, or rather bonds." 

In December Arent Stephens took a message to both castles 
of the Mohawks, and the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, with which 
they were well pleased. A trusty Onondaga bore it to the others. 

The French attempts on the Ohio failed that year, but would 
be resumed the next, and the Iroquois could not resist. It was 
said that Picquet at first wished to have his fort on Onondaga 
lake. The previous year the French had sent Caughnawagas 
among the Six Nations to promote war against the southern 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 299 

Indians, with whom both had enmity beyond the memory of man. 
They also let loose the Ottawas on the Mississagas, driving them 
farther east. 

In Ohio the Half King, Tanacharisson, had warned the French 
to leave the lands of the Six Nations. Scarrooyady said the? 
sent them three warnings according to their custom. The third 
time they said : 

I tell you in plain Words You must go off this land. You say 
You have a strong Body, a strong Neck, and a strong Voice, 
that when You speak all the Indians must hear You. It is true 
You are a strong Body and ours is but w r eak, yet We are not 
afraid of You. We forbid you to come any farther; turn back 
to the Place from whence You came. 

Scarrooyady gave his reason for the three messages : 

Because, said he, the great Being who lives above, has ordered 
Us to send Three Messages of Peace before we make War; And 
as the Half King had before this Time delivered the third and 
last Message, We had nothing now to do but to strike the French. 

A letter had come telling of the Half King's action : 

The Half King went to the French Fort to know what was 
the Reason of their coming to settle the Lands on Ohio. The 
Commander told him the Land was their's and discharged him 
and told him he was an Old Woman and all his Nation was in 
their Favour only him, and if he would not go home he would 
put him in Irons. He came home and told the English to go off 
the Place for fear they should be hurt, with Tears in his Eyes. 

Two Moravians came to Onondaga in 1753, leaving Bethlehem 
Ap. 23 and reaching Onondaga June 8. They were Henry Frey 
and David Zeisberger, and their journey is chiefly remarkable 
for the ascent of the Tiougrmioga river. They lost some time 
trying to penetrate the wilderness from Owego by land, and some 
with the Nanticokes, who were removing to New York. They 
fell in with their fleet of canoes as they were going up the river 
to settle at Otsiningo, (Chenango) a little north of Binghamton. 
Their return by the same route began Oct. 13 and ended Nov. 10, 
but they visited friends on the way. These Moravian journals 
have many interesting facts not otherwise preserved. 

David Zeisberger and Charles Frederick made a later visit, 



300 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

leaving Bethlehem June 9, 1754, going by Oneida lake and reach- 
ing Onondaga July 21, and arriving home June 4, 1755. They 
stayed till May 18, 1755. This was the last and longest Moravian 
residence there. They founded no mission, all of their work being 
of a preparatory kind. 

The western Indians grew restive. George Croghan wrote to 
Governor Hamilton, May 14, 1754, " ye Government may have 
what opinion they will of ye Ohio Indians, and think they are 
oblig d to Do what ye Onondago Counsel will bid them, Butt I 
ashure y r honour they will actt for themselves att this time, 
without consulting ye Onondago Councel." 

That year the Mohawks said they had lost some influence 
in council from being thought Johnson's advisers. The Onon- 
dagas were exhorted to live in one castle, as of old. Most of 
those who had gone to Oswegatchie were Onondagas and Cay- 
ugas, and some said half the Onondagas were there, and that the 
Senecas were wavering. It was time that the English should 
awake to their danger. 

A congress of seven colonies opened in Albany June 19, 1754. 
These were New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Con- 
necticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Virginia 
and Carolina desired to be considered present. The plan was 
to have a colonial union established by act of Parliament. There 
was also an Indian conference. The Oswego traders, 47 in 
number, complained that the Indians at the Mohawk and Cana- 
joharie castles forcibly took what rum they wanted, and the 
Oneidas did the same at the carrying place, beside charging 
exorbitantly for carriage. Hendrick complained of land frauds 
and of the inefficiency of the English. The Mohawks would 
have taken Crown Point had they been allowed. 

The governor of New York said that Johnson was still their 
friend ; but, as he " for some reasons declined the management 
of Indian affairs, it was thought proper to re-kindle the fire here, 
by appointing Commiss rs whom I shall direct to receive and 
consult with you, upon all business that may concern our mutual 
interests." This would be tried a year longer. The Indians 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 3OI 

were not enthusiastic. Though notice had been given of a large 
present, not more than 150* men of all nations attended. They 
wanted rum kept out of their castles, and it was thought fines 
and imprisonment might be the penalty for unlawful sales. 

Johnson said the French should be kept out of Onondaga river 
by a stricter watch at Oswego, and that Englishmen should 
be placed in every nation, with forts, missionaries and smiths 
among the Onondagas and Senecas. Educated young men 
should go, who might become interpreters, teachers and cate- 
chists. Governor Delancey said the commander of a fort at 
Onondaga might be made a sachem and have a voice in Indian 
councils. The French increased their influence by such adop- 
tions. 

Conrad Weiser was at this council, and the land treaty with 
Pennsylvania was adjusted. Hendrick said the Six Nations 
reserved the Wyoming and Shamokin lands as hunting grounds, 
and Taghneghtoris, or John Shikellimy, was appointed to take 
care of them. After the council Colonel Lydius made a fraudu- 
lent purchase of these lands for a Connecticut company, and 
this made later trouble. 

Tanacharisson, the Half King, died this year. John Harris 
wrote from his ferry, (now Harrisburg) Oct. 29, 1754: 

On the first of this Instant Monacatootha and Several Others, 
the Chiefs of the Six Nations, came to my house and brought the 
half King and his Family along with them, who were in General 
in a very low Condition, particularly himself, who died in a few 
days, after which I asked Monacatootha and others where they 
chused to bury him and in what Manner; or if they wanted any 
thing Necessary for his funeral ; their Answer was that they 
looked on him to be like one of our Selves, and as he died among 
us we might bury him as we thought proper; that if he was 
buried well it would be very good, which I did much to their 
Satisfaction. 

In November the Indians resolved to send Scarrooyady, alias 
Monacatootha, and two other chiefs to Onondaga, to report 
affairs and ask advice. Governor Morris was informed, and 
in December 1754 

His Honour informed the Council that Scarrooyady an Oneido 



302 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Indian, who succeeds Tanachrisson or the Half King in the 
Direction of Indian Aughwick was come to Town along with 
Two other Indians in their Way to Onondago. 

A conference followed, and Governor Morris sent a belt to 
Onondaga about the Connecticut land sale. He also wrote to 
Governor Fitch of that colony, and Hendrick promised to undo 
the mischief. 

M. Duquesne held a council with part of the Six Nations at 
Quebec in October 1754. The Senecas did not come. The 
Onondagas came but took no part. A secret conference followed 
with the Oneidas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras, who favored the 
French. They then invited the others and reproved them. Some 
Oswegatchie Indians, who had been to Albany, gave up their 
English medals to the French. The deputies also decided that 
Albany and Oswego should not be molested. A council that 
winter, at Onondaga, would decide on the French proposals. 

Chapter 18 

Wyoming deed to be destroyed. Johnson's speech. Council fire now at Mt 
Johnson. Storehouses at Oneida Portage. Battle of Lake George. Death of 
Hendrick. Braddock's defeat. Delawares and Shawnees claim to be men. 
Ticonderoga built. Forts among the Six Nations. Fort Bull destroyed. War 
declared on the Delawares, who are reproved by the Six Nations. Johnson's 
condolence of an Onondaga sachem. Council at Onondaga lake. Road to 
Oswego made. Indians take the hatchet. Oswego destroyed. Easton 
council. Teedyuscung. Oneidas give up medals, scalps and belts. 

Hendrick and some Mohawks were in Philadelphia Jan. 15, 
1755, and said that the Connecticut deed should be destroyed, 
but he could not do it. It must be done at Onondaga. He 
advised a meeting of two chiefs from each nation to settle the 
matter : " But then as it is a War Time, We advise that this be 
done as soon as possible, for We who are here to-day may not 
be here to-morrow." He was killed that year. 

Scarrooyady made a report Mar. 31. The Mohawks advised 
him to go to Onondaga, " but hearing on all hands that the Onon- 
dagers were not well affected to the English," he stopped at 
Oneida, where French influence was strong. The Oneidas said 
this was wise, and added : " Nobody cared now to do Business 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 303 

at Onondago. All Persons who were in the English Interest 
and had Business to do with the Six Nations of late came round 
about Onondago and passed by the Town." 

Till 1755 a large French trade was carried on at Albany by 
the 'Caughnawagas, the Indians preferring English strouds to 
French goods. In June Johnson had a warrant from General 
Braddock as sole superintendent of the Six Nations, their allies 
and dependents. June 21 we have " Hon. Wm. Johnson's first 
public speech to the Indians " as superintendent, translated into 
Mohawk by Daniel Clause and delivered for Johnson by Red 
Head, the Onondaga speaker. He removed the council fire from 
Albany to Mount Johnson, and his familiar emblem of a bundle 
of sticks was applauded. There were 1106 Indians present, and 
more men than he had ever seen at a council. The Elder 
Brothers made Red Head speaker, and an Indian reported that 
the Oswegatchie settlement had been broken up for want of pro- 
visions and Fort Frontenac strengthened. The Mississagas 
came and made alliance, and Arent Stephens danced the war- 
dance, to " which the sachems bore the usual chorus." 

Johnson tried to keep rum from the Indians at this time, with 
but partial success, and raised some sachems. The Onondagas 
asked for a fort, as they would fight the French. He told the 
Oneidas that General Shirley would have to build a magazine at 
each end of the portage and hoped they would not hinder it. 
They replied that work begun had been stopped by them, as they 
had received no message. Now it should go on. They com- 
plained of Germans on their lands who were there by permission, 
not ownership, and who made trouble. 

In September Johnson had 250 men with him at Lake George 
and more were coming. He was building a fort there, had made 
a good wagon road to Albany, and cleared ground to encamp 
5000 men, whom he expected to arrive soon. He hoped to pass 
the lake, take post at Ticonderoga, and then attack Crown Point. 
The French advanced, fighting followed Sep. 8, in which Colonel 
Williams and King Hendrick fell on the English side, and Baron 
Dieskau was taken on the French. Hendrick fell under his 



304 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

horse, being- an old and heavy man, and was bayoneted. The 
Iroquois, losing 30 men and being discouraged by this and the 
numbers of the French, at once returned home. 

General Johnson was knighted for his good conduct; and 
General Shirley wished him to call a council at Onondaga, and 
also privately to engage some Iroquois to go against the French 
and Indians on the Ohio. They could join a party already in 
Pennsylvania and get the Susquehanna Indians to go too. John- 
son did not approve of his having other Indian agents and wished 
a fixed sum for himself and the secretary, Mr Wraxall. When 
the Indians came to him, they had to be maintained, and a jour- 
ney to Onondaga or Oswego was expensive. Shirley proved a 
poor manager, but Massachusetts appropriated funds to secure 
Iroquois aid, and the garrison at Oswego was reinforced by four 
companies. Desertions were frequent there. 

The Six Nations had little to do with Braddock's affairs, though 
Scarrooyady and a few others were with him at his defeat July 9. 
They were displeased because he did not consult them. 

Most of the Ohio Indians were dissatisfied with the Albany 
purchase of Susquehanna lands, and this led to hostilities with 
the Delawares and Shawnees. The year before they had asked 
that they might no longer be clad like women, but fight like men 
for themselves. A change had come over them, and, being 
encouraged by the French, they now fought without leave. The 
French policy had hitherto been to weaken the Indians. This 
having been sufficiently done, they were now to be protected, but 
they were not always reliable. At the battle of Lake George the 
Canadian Iroquois refused to attack the English camp, and helped 
defeat the French by later inaction. M. de Vaudreuil had a con- 
ference at Montreal with the Senecas Oct. 1, 1755, who came to 
bring Joncaire home. Some other Iroquois came later, and he 
thought all were in the French interest except the Onondagas 
and Mohawks. That year the French occupied Ticonderoga. 

In 1756 the Earl of Loudon became commander in chief, and 
was empowered to furnish Johnson all he required for forts or 
smiths among the Indians. Johnson's general plans were 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 305 

approved ; and he had a council with the Six Nations, who were 
firm in the British alliance and pleased with the proposed council 
at Oswego. All but the Cayugas desired forts in their country, 
and every Indian castle ought to have a minister. He wished 
two persons of unblemished character as chaplains for the pro- 
posed garrisons at Onondaga and Oneida, and as missionaries 
to the Indians. Something should be done for the Rev. Mr 
Ogilvie, who was doing excellent work among the Mohawks. 

The conference mentioned seems the one held in June 1756 
at Onondaga, but which was deferred at the request of the Mo- 
hawks, several minor councils taking place meantime. At one 
in February Johnson condoled the deaths of Hendrick and others, 
and gave six French prisoners to replace them. Some remote 
Senecas were present at this time, who had never been at John- 
son's before and had come from Ganuskago, where Dansville 
now stands. He was sorry they still had trouble in the south. 
At this time Sir William gave " the largest pipe in America, 
made on purpose," to be hung up in the council house at Onon- 
daga, and smoked at important councils. The presents amounted 
to £1085, and the French were still more liberal. 

Late in March 1756 Lieutenant de Lery, with some French- 
men and Canadian Iroquois, passed Oswegatchie, came to the 
Oneida portage and destroyed Fort Bull. Five English forts 
were abandoned next year and replaced by another there. Some 
Onondagas condoled Johnson on this first loss in April. They 
desired an early council in their town ; and, as it would be large 
and they had few provisions, they wished he would send some 
for their guests. Workmen were ready to build their forts, and 
orders were given for the Oneida fort on Ap. 21 ; for the Onon- 
daga Ap. 30. Horses were employed in the work. Each was a 
square stockade with two blockhouses at opposite angles, and 
several such forts were built that year, traces of some still 
remaining. 

In May Johnson was formally invited to the council held at 
Onondaga in June. He said there were many deserters from 
Oswego among the Indians, who made trouble by their false- 



3°6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

hoods. Great numbers of these were among the Delawares and 
Susquehanna Indians. He conferred with some Oneida and 
Seneca chiefs; also with two Seneca women. They said it was 
common to take women into their councils, specially among the 
Senecas. There were frequent instances of this among the other 
Iroquois. At this time the Mohawks did not wish him to go to 
the Onondaga council, and he yielded so far as to send messen- 
gers there first. On their return the Mohawks advised him to 
go, but with a guard, as French parties made the road danger- 
ous, and he would be a valued prize. 

In Pennsylvania Braddock's defeat had turned the scale with 
the dissatisfied Delawares, and they became hostile, siding with 
the French. On this, Pennsylvania declared war in the winter 
of 1755-56. Scarrooyady, the new Half King, favored this and 
thought the Six Nations would approve. Johnson disliked both 
the declaration and the large scalp bounty. It was a bad move 
just before a general council, alarmed the Iroquois and might 
keep the southern Indians away. Many conferences followed 
in Pennsylvania, the Iroquois there adhering to the colony, while 
the Delawares said they were " determined to fight the English 
as long as there is a Man left." The Six Nations ordered them 
to stop, but they were defiant at first, and then word was sent that 
they would obey. A council was held at Otsiningo, to which 300 
Delaware warriors came, agreeing to lay down the hatchet at 
the wish of the Six Nations. They were still told they were 
women and severely reproved, but more latitude was allowed them. 

Johnson arrived at Oneida June 13, conferring with some 
Indians there. He was shown a French belt, inviting the Onon- 
daga, Cayuga, Oneida and Tuscarora chiefs to a treaty at Mon- 
treal June 15. His visit now was as a mourner, as the condoling 
council must precede business, his warm friend, the Onondaga 
speaker, having died. The account is of interest : 

Sir William and the sachems of every nation, prepared the 
several speeches of condolence to be made at Onondaga upon the 
death of Kaghswoughtioony, alias Red Head, chief sachem of 
said nation, and chose the proper belts for the ceremony. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 307 

June 18 two Cayugas met Sir William " at the place where the 
Onondagas formerly lived/' about 5 miles from their habitation 
at that time. This was south of Jamesville, and they were now 
on the west side of Onondaga creek. He was to send word 
when he would enter the town, that the Cayugas, representing 
the Younger Brothers, might meet him and join in his condolence 
of the great Onondaga chief. Three Cayugas met him a mile 
from the castle, halting two hours to settle all forms according 
to ancient custom. Then Johnson marched on at the head of the 
chiefs, part of whom sang the condoling song, containing the 
names, laws and customs of their renowned ancestors, and asking 
happiness for the departed. 

When they came in sight of the castle, they found the head 
chiefs and warriors seated " in a half moon across the road, in 
profound silence." In the hour's halt there, the condoling song 
was again sung, hands were shaken and the visitors welcomed. 
Then Sir William led the warriors, the sachems in the rear sing- 
ing the same song. All in the town fired their guns as a salute, 
and this was returned by his party. He was then taken to an 
arbor by Red Head's house, where he was addressed by the chiefs. 
Next day the grand ceremony was performed with 11 belts and 
three strings, followed by an enemy's scalp to replace the dead, 
and a glass of rum to wash away grief. This ended the cere- 
mony, which did not include the raising of a new chief. 

June 20 Johnson encamped by the lake, 5 miles from the castle, 
to be near his boats, provisions and presents. A long council 
followed. An Oswegatchie Indian said the French meant to 
build a fort at Oswego Falls and another at the west end of 
Oneida lake. Another party would ravage German Flats and a 
fourth attack Johnson's house, kill or take him, and ravage the 
lower Mohawk. The Indians rejected a French belt and cast it 
on the ground. Messengers from the Susquehanna said the 
Nanticoke king at Otsiningo was dead. Delawares, Shawnees 
and others came June 27, and the new Half King was present. 

June 28 the war song was sung, and Johnson promised them 
a roasted ox at the war dance next day. July 1 they gave him 



308 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

leave to open a road to Oswego. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras 
would help make it from German Flats to Canaseraga, and the 
Onondagas thence to Oswego. He might build a fort at Oswego 
Falls, to be destroyed when the war was over. He gave the 
Indians kettles to feast on their enemies' flesh, which is noted 
as figurative ; eating meat out of the kettles at a war feast being 
called eating a Frenchman's flesh, as drinking is then termed 
drinking an enemy's blood. 

He placed a medal on the Onondaga speaker's neck. A treaty 
was made with the Delawares and Shawnees, and the former were 
fixed at Tioga by the Six Nations, where some Iroquois then 
lived. The Iroquois feared the French because of their many 
Indian allies. On reaching home he had another conference with 
the Delawares and Shawnees. With the consent of the Six 
Nations, he declared the former no longer women but men, but 
they were not formally made so for many years later. He sent 
out many parties, and the Indians were pleased with their new 
forts. 

Various collisions preceded the fall of Oswego, the most impor- 
tant being Bradstreet's successful fight at Oswego Falls, of 
which the French and English gave very different accounts. 
While returning from Oswego with 300 boatmen and their boats, 
he was attacked from the east side of the river at Battle island, 
July 3, 1756. Landing on the small island there with six men, 
he held it till reinforced, repulsing three assaults. Thence the 
contest followed the west bank to the falls, lasting three hours. 

Oswego was invested by Montcalm Aug. 11, and surrendered 
Aug. 14, Col. Mercer having been killed. With its siege the 
Six Nations had nothing to do, but the French had many sav- 
ages with them, whose mere yells did as much toward the sur- 
render as the guns of the French. Their Indians, they said, 
"perpetrated a multitude of horrors, and assassinated more than 
100 persons included in the capitulation, without our being able 
to prevent them, or having the right to remonstrate." 

The dilatory — to use no stronger word — General Webb got 
only to the Oneida portage. Learning there the loss of Oswego, 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 3OO, 

he destroyed all the forts at the carrying-place and marched back, 
disgusting his Indian allies, who said it looked like giving up, 
so needless was this. The Onondagas proved their character 
as " men of business " by securing some of the provisions left 
at Oswego, and heard that ioo of the English were massacred 
there by drunken Indians. Johnson sent out many parties that 
year, and reported various conferences of moderate importance. 

In the Easton council in Pennsylvania, July 28, 1756, the 
Delaware chief, Teedyuscung, said he had been made king over 
five united nations, and represented the Iroquois also. The 
latter afterward denied this emphatically. Major Parsons thus 
described him : " He is a lusty raw bon'd Man, haughty, and 
very desirous of Respect and Commendation ; he can drink three 
Quarts or a Gallon of Rum a day, without being Drunk." 

The Cherokees and other southern nations joined the English, 
and both the Iroquois and Delawares said they would never fight 
on the same side with them. Another council followed at Easton 
in October, and peace was made. During these troubles Shi- 
kellimy's three sons found refuge with the Delawares. 

In July 1756 some Cayugas and Senecas were at Niagara and 
said they would remain neutral, but part went against the Eng- 
lish at Oswego and elsewhere. Chauvignerie formed a band of 
29 Cayugas, Onondagas and Senecas against the English on the 
Ohio, and the latter were afterward publicly thanked for killing 
many English there. These Indians may have been emigrants. 

The Onondagas and Oneidas sent 80 deputies to Montreal in 
July, and they were kept till after the surrender of Oswego in 
August. Governor de Vaudreuil said that Johnson would thus 
be deprived of expected aid. The news was announced to them 
Aug. 20, when there were 150 Iroquois there, and they naturally 
and rather warmly congratulated the victors. 

Some Onondagas and Cayugas came to Montreal late in 
November 1756 and had an audience on the 30th. They noticed 
that some usual ceremonies were omitted, for, when the Five 
Nations came, it was customary to send an interpreter with 
wampum to meet them and to salute them with five guns. Others 



3 lQ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

came later, and about ioo were at the council which opened 
Dec. 13, continuing till the 30th. No Mohawks were present, 
but all there were friendly to the French, the Oneidas particu- 
larly so. The latter gave up their English medals, and left 17 
deputies to spend the winter there. It was a great expense 
holding such a council, but unavoidable. The meeting was thus 
summed up : 

Such has been this famous embassy of the Five Nations, the 
most important that has occurred for a long time, and which 
ought to be regarded as indeed important under existing circum- 
stances. . . The neutrality of those Nations is one of the 
greatest advantages we could obtain over the English. 

The French desired more than neutrality, which the Cayugas 
are said to have long maintained. A shrewd move was made : 

The Oneidas presented the Cayugas a Belt from which an 
English scalp was suspended. This proceeding had been the 
thought of an Iroquois, a shrewd politician to get an English 
scalp introduced into the cabin of the Cayugas, where, as yet, 
there have not been any. 

The Indians desired to look into French customs of a social 
nature, in which they might share. It is said : " The Ambassa- 
dors asked to remain until the morrow, New Year's day, because 
they had been told that on that day the Pale faces kissed each 
other and that liquor was furnished." 

Among other curious notes of this council is the following: 

In regard to the Belts presented by the latter, each of them 
furnished in turn and contributed equally to that expense, and 
as the Indians are very particular in exhibiting the share they 
possess in these presents, at the end of each speech, the orator 
is careful, when handing the Belt, to cry out the name of the 
Canton, or Nation, which has furnished it. 

Chapter 19 

Council at Onondaga. Six Nations neutral, but Mississagas hostile to them. 
Peace with the Cherokees. Easton council. Teedyuscung. German Flats 
destroyed. Abercrombie defeated. Land dispute settled at Easton. Teed- 
yuscung reproved. Council at Canajoharie. Iroquois take the war belts. 
Canadian Indians abandon the French. Forts built. Niagara taken. Assen- 
sing council. Montreal taken. Iroquois present. Religion and education. 
Prisoners released. Plans for schools. Murders at Kanestio. 

A council was held at Onondaga in the spring of 1757, and 

the Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas resolved to be neutral. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 3II 

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras did not declare themselves, but 
were much affected by the destruction of the forts at the portage. 
Half the Oneidas favored the French. 

June 10 some Senecas and Onondagas came to Fort Johnson, 
followed by Cayugas and Mohawks. The Senecas showed a 
great belt of invitation, 30 rows wide, which they would send to 
other nations, and also a French war belt. Another was sent to 
the Delawares and referred to them. They told the Delawares 
they had buried the hatchet deep. The Six Nations had not 
used the ax given them against the French last winter, but at 
their council at Onondaga had resolved to hold fast the English 
covenant chain. They were so weak that their aid ought not to 
be expected. Johnson was surprised that they were now hostile 
to the Mississagas. The Onondaga speaker retorted the charge 
of indifference on the English as in De Nonville's, Frontenac's 
and other invasions. They heard that the Mississagas threatened 
revenge on them for some killed at Oswego, but the Onondagas 
would not commence war. Many belts had arrived at Onon- 
daga, and there would be a general council in July. The Oqua- 
gas, mostly Iroquois, were on the English side. 

Three Cherokee chiefs came to Fort Johnson July 31, and had 
a conference with Johnson and some Senecas, Cayugas and 
Oneidas. They were condoled as usual and replied : 

Perhaps you will expect a formal answer upon this ceremony 
of condolence. Brethren, we are warriors, and do not understand 
these matters, and hope you will excuse us. All we can say is, 
that we are glad to shake you by the hand, and by this string 
of wampum remove all trouble and disquiet from your breast. 

They would direct their arms against the French fort on the 
Ohio, and in them they might see all the Cherokee nation. In 
September a Seneca chief, named the Belt, thanked Johnson for 
the Cherokees, and another Seneca chief spoke for them. They 
had begun with a small hatchet, but hoped soon to have a larger. 
An Oneida chief spoke for the Six Nations. They would invite 
Cherokee deputies to Fort Johnson, and their young men should 
be warned not to go on the warpath toward their country. 



3 12 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Sep. 19 their message was formally delivered to the four Cher- 
okees, who were seated in four chairs. Johnson lighted the calu- 
met, took a whiff or two and passed it to the Cherokees, who did 
the same. The- gentlemen present smoked and then the Iroquois 
who were there. The tobacco from whence it was filled was 
then put in a bag to be carried home by the Cherokees with the 
calumet. The Belt, a Seneca chief, then delivered the message 
of the Six Nations, with a very large white belt furnished by 
Johnson. Seneca George would return with them as far as 
Philadelphia and -farther if his shoes held out. 

Not being relieved by General Webb, Fort William Henry 
surrendered Aug. 29, after a six days' siege, and the Indians 
robbed and stripped many after the capitulation, even killing 
some. Montcalm had 363 Canadian Iroquois with him at this 
time, and this loss cooled the zeal of the Six Nations for the 
English. Though neutrality was promised, some Senecas and 
Cayugas shared in hostilities in Pennsylvania, and Governor de 
Vaudreuil reported that he had 20 parties of Senecas and Cay- 
ugas in the field against the Catawbas and English. There were 
always some whom the chiefs could not control. 

A Mohawk chief, who went with George Croghan to Penn- 
sylvania in June, brightened the friendly chain between the Cher- 
okees and Six Nations in the presence of Col. George Washing- 
ton. Both would hold to the English, and three Cherokees were 
deputed to go to the Six Nations. On their way they stopped 
at Easton, where there was a council with the Delawares and 
Senecas, and were told that the grand council, which sat for two 
months at Onondaga, had broken up, having determined to hold 
to the English. The Delawares and Shawnees in Ohio had 
trouble with the French and were also likely to take the same side. 

The Easton council was held in July and August. In the latter 
month Teedyuscung concluded a peace on behalf of 10 nations. 
He said he was formerly represented as a woman by his uncles, 
the Six Nations, but they gave him a good pipe and good tobacco, 
and he gave these to the English. In response, Governor Morris 
gave him a very large belt with significant letters and figures. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 313 

The treaty required the approval of the Six Nations. At the end 
of the council there was a grand dinner for all present, peace was 
formally proclaimed and interpreted to the Indians, and salutes 
were fired. There were bonfires and dances, with supplementary 
conferences. Teedyuscung said : 

I was styled by my uncles the Six Nations, a woman, in former 
years, and had no hatchet in my hand, but a pestle or homminy 
pounder. As I had no tomahawk, and my uncles were always 
styled men, and had tomahawks in their hands, they gave me a 
tomahawk, and appointed and authorized me to make peace 
with a tomahawk in my hand, I take that tomahawk, and turn 
the edge of it against your enemies the French. 

A curious effect of scalp bounties, even on women, is seen in 

the petition of Margery Mitchell, Oct. 26, 1757: 

I was some time ago in Philada., in Expectation of recg a 
reward from the Com rs for an Indian Scalp, but was quite dis- 
appointed ; it ill suited me at the time to take so fatiguing & 
expensive a Journey, one might think Common humanity would 
induce the Gentlemen to allow me some small matter on that 
occasion. 

German Flats was destroyed in November 1757. The people 
had been warned by the Oneidas, but felt secure. It was attacked 
by 300 French and Indians under M. de Belletre. A few Onon- 
dagas joined him at Famine river, and he sent a message to 
Oneida Castle by four influential Indians, six Oneidas joining 
him. The Palatine settlement was protected by five small forts, 
all of which were destroyed. None of the French were killed, 
but 40 colonists perished, 150 were made prisoners and 60 houses 
were burned. In another fort were 350 men, not a mile away. 

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were asked why they had not 
given the alarm; on which they showed that they had done so, 
but their advice was not heeded. The Germans said the same. 
It was the castle at Oneida lake and not the upper one to which 
the French sent word. • The latter was not to be told. 

In the spring of 1758 the French commander at Fort Duquesne 
made unfriendly comments on the Six Nations and sent Wyandot 
spies to Onondaga, who told their errand and wished a trading 
post might be built there, The Seneca chief, John Hudson, or 



314 NE W YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Eyendeegen, was present at a council with the Munseys in Phila- 
delphia Aug. 4. He said they could not hold treaties, being 
women, and conducted the business for them. 

July 7, 1758, Abererombie was defeated at Ticonderoga with 
heavy loss. The Iroquois despised him from the first and few 
Indians shared in the fight on either side. Some success the 
English now had. In August Colonel Bradstreet took Fort Fron- 
tenac, and Oswego was reoccupied. In November Fort Du- 
quesne was evacuated on the approach of General Forbes. The 
Indians of Canada were displeased with Montcalm's treatment of 
them at Ticonderoga, and the Six Nations took note of this. 

The fourth Easton council met Oct. 8, 1758, and the Iroquois, 
Minisinks and Delawares came. The assembly was large and 
the ancient rites scrupulously observed. Three old land disputes 
were to be settled ; the Iroquois sale of 1754, the Walking Pur- 
chase, and the claims of the Minisinks in New Jersey. The last 
was speedily adjusted, and the lands west of the mountains were 
deeded back to the Iroquois. On the Walking Purchase, Teedy- 
uscung's official character came in question, and his pride had a 
blow in a private council. A Mohawk chief said : " Who made 
Teedyuscung the chief of the nations? If he be such a great man 
we desire to know who made him so." A Seneca chief said : 
" We do not know who made Teedyuscung this great man over 
Ten Nations, and I want to know who made him so." An Onon- 
daga chief added, " I never heard before now that Teedyuscung 
was such a great man, and much less can I tell who made him 
so. No such thing was ever said in our towns." An Oneida 
spoke for the Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Nanticokes and Conoys : " I 
now tell you none of us know who has made Teedyuscung such 
a great man. Perhaps the French have, or perhaps you have, or 
some among you, as you have different governments and are 
different people. We for our part entirely disown that he has 
any authority over us, and we desire to know from whence he 
derives his authority." 

In that chief's presence, next day, the governors of Pennsyl- 
vania and New Jersey explained that he only claimed to be king 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 315 

over five Delaware nations and was but the messenger of the 
Six Nations, of whom he always spoke as his uncles and super- 
iors. The storm was averted, but the offense was not forgotten. 
He had also proposed a sale of lands about Shamokin, Wyoming 
etc. The Iroquois chiefs replied : " We have no power to convey 
Lands to any one, but will take your Request to the great Coun- 
cil Fire for their Sentiments, as we never convey or sell Lands 
before it be agreed in the great Council of the United Nations." 
It is readily seen that this was but a convenient excuse. 

In April 1759 Johnson held a council at the Canajoharie castle, 
stopping at Brant's house, where the Bunt, other Onondaga and 
some Cayuga chiefs waited on him, some Cayugas, Senecas, Nan- 
ticokes and Shawnees coming later. While they were waiting 
for the Oneidas, Tuscaroras and Geneseo Senecas, their arms 
were repaired, and he sent food to some on the way. 

When the council opened, Sir William, with the Mohawks, 
Onondagas and Senecas, condoled the death of some of their 
people since leaving home, and the usual general condolence fol- 
lowed. He spoke of a murder by a Cayuga, and an Oneida chief 
gave five white prisoners to him. Tuscarora spies told what they 
had seen in Canada, where some Oswegatchie Indians wished to 
return to Onondaga. Some western Indians had sent a belt to 
the Six Nations, as they desired to pass through their country 
to talk with Johnson. A sachem of each of the Six Nations 
would come with them that year, and the Geneseo chiefs waited 
to conduct them. 

Governor de Vaudreuil had told the Oneidas that the English, 
having built a fort at their portage, were about to erect one at 
each end of Oneida lake and another at the falls of the Onon- 
daga (Oswego) river. However he got his news, this proved 
correct. Though these would be strong, he said, the one at 
Oswego would be stronger ; and the English would then destroy 
the Five Nations. He gave them a large hatchet belt of 6000 
beads. The Nanticokes had also been sent for to Onondaga, 
receiving a sharp French hatchet with a similar message, but they 
returned this by advice of the Oneidas, 



3 J 6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

All agreed to go against the French as an atonement for the 
murder. This would be an effective plaster for the wound. The 
Onondagas then made a feast of a roasted ox, presented by John- 
son, and the war dance was shared by some of every nation. 
From the Susquehanna 50 more Indians arrived. He told them 
that at the Easton treaty the Pennsylvania people gave up all 
the land claimed on the Ohio, which had been sold them in 1754. 
The deed of surrender would be kept in the council house at 
Onondaga. 

After telling them of General Amherst's appointment, Sir Wil- 
liam threw the war belt, which was taken up by a Mohawk, who 
danced with it, followed by others. A few warriors had gone 
with Johnson before ; all would go now. Two oxen were boiled 
in five large kettles and laid out in large pieces in Indian style, 
the chiefs and warriors being seated in two lines opposite the 
fires in the center. 

The Old Belt, a great Seneca chief, said that the Geneseo 
Indians heartily joined the English, and that 26 of their warriors 
would follow Johnson to war before they went home. They 
now gave up Fort Niagara to be destroyed. He then began the 
war dance, which was kept up all night by others. Three chiefs 
of each nation came to Johnson to ask him to send an army at 
once against Niagara. " The sooner the thing is done the bet- 
ter," they said, and gave a belt with the figure of Niagara at one 
end and his name at the other. 

The Oswegatchies sent him a message, thanking him and say- 
ing they would keep out of the way of the English and not join 
the French. They wished to return to their native land, and 
their priest sent a message of peace, having no interest in the war. 
His town was but a religious school. The Caughnawagas and 
others would act no more with the French. Johnson was pleased 
and promised to equip the Indians and provide for their families. 

That year the Royal Blockhouse was built at the head of 
Oneida lake and Fort Brewerton at the foot. A fort was also 
built at Oswego Falls on the east side. Johnson and Prideaux 
soon left for Niagara, embarking on Oneida lake June 21, passing 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 2> l 7 

Fort Brewerton June 23 and encamping at Three River Point. 
They were at Oswego Falls June 24 to 27, and left Oswego July 
1. The French tried to surprise Oswego after they left, but were 
repulsed. The English had 3100 troops and Indians, who landed 
at Niagara July 8. General Prideaux was killed on the 20th and 
Johnson took command. The fort surrendered July 25, and the 
army returned to Oswego. About one third were Indians. About 
the same time General Amherst took Ticonderoga and soon after 
Crown Point; while Quebec surrendered Sep. 18. 

Some unimportant conferences were held at Pittsburg that year, 
in which Iroquois chiefs took part. There was also " a great 
Meeting of Indians at Assensing, on the Cayuga Branch of the 
Sasquehannah," in the interests of peace. This was a Munsey 
town in New York, recently settled there. This council was 
" preparatory to a General Council, which the Western Indians 
proposed to hold in the month of April over the Ohio." 

In the summer of 1760 Amherst collected his forces at Oswego 
and descended to Montreal, which soon surrendered. The only 
opposition was at Fort Levis, a little below the present city of 
Ogdensburg, occupied by a small force under M. de Pouchot. 
He was called Sategariouaen, In the Midst of Good Affairs. The 
Indians left Oswegatchie the year before, settling on the Isle 
Picquet. Many now went to Montreal and elsewhere, and the 
rest refused to aid the French. There were places of interest in 
the vicinity. Pointe aux Iroquoise, locally called Point Rocka- 
way, was a place where that people always stopped in going up 
or down. Toniata, the place of the eel fishery, now Grenadier 
island, was a noted resort from the earliest times. St Regis, on 
the St Lawrence and intersected by the boundary line, was a 
mission settlement and is still a reservation. It is worthy of note 
that in this last engagement of this great war, two vessels engaged 
were called after Iroquois nations. One was the Onondaga, 
called the Seneca by Pouchot, and the Mohawk, called Oneida 
by him. 

A list has been given of 1330 Indians who promised to go with 
Johnson at this time, Among these were 284 Cayugas, 57 Tusca- 



3l8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

roras, 158 Mohawks, 203 Onondagas, 60 Oneidas, 126 Senecas, 
and 15 Oswegatchies. But 706 actually embarked. 

In 1760 Archbishop Seeker spoke of the Rev. Henry Barclay 
as the son of a missionary to the Indians of New York, saying 
that he was appointed by the S. P. G. a Mohawk catechist in 
1735, ordained a priest in 1737 and settled as missionary there, 
learning the Mohawk tongue and preaching to them successfully. 
He was said to have formed a congregation of 500, with 61 wor- 
thy communicants, continuing there till 1745, when the attacks 
of the French Indians obliged him to leave. 

Peace having come, the Honorable Scotch Commissioners, in 
and near Boston, in 1761 conceived the idea of educating Indian 
youths from a distance. They sent an Indian, David Fowler, 
who was going on a mission to the Oneidas, to select some, and 
he brought three young Mohawks, one of whom was Joseph 
Brant. In November Samuel Kirkland, afterward the noted 
missionary, visited Johnson, who approved his plan of learning 
the Mohawk language. 

There was a council at Easton Aug. 3, 1761, with Onondagas, 
Oneidas, Cayugas and their allies, Seneca George of Otsiningo 
being the principal speaker. Conrad Weiser was dead, and they 
chose his son Samuel as his successor. A Conoy chief, called 
Last Night, said : 

I would acquaint You that the Chief of the Mohickons & Opies 
have settled with the Six Nations at a place called Chenango, 
where you may always find them if you should have occasion to 
speak to them. 

In 1762 there were meetings about surrendering prisoners. 
Some of the Iroquois had been hostile to the English in the Dela- 
ware war, but at last a full treaty of peace was made. There 
was a conference at Philadelphia Mar. 30, with 21 Cayugas, who 
reported a council held at Onondaga about these prisoners, but 
the Senecas were dilatory. A general council met at Lancaster 
in August, and 17 English prisoners were returned. There would 
have been more, but some had been claimed and given up on the 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 319 

road. A few, like Mary Jemison and others, would not return. 
Some cases were hard. The noted Oneida chief, Thomas King, 
said • 

I brought a Girl to Easton, and she run away; when I came 
home I found her there. Bless me ! says I, there is my Wife. 
I was sorry that I had delivered her, but to my surprize I found 
her at home. You know it is hard to part with a Wife. I have 
brought you an English prisoner, who I love as my own Wife. 
I have a young Child by her. You know it is very hard for a 
man to part with his Wife. I have delivered her, therefore take 
care of her, and keep her safe, that she don't make her escape. 

At this council the Six Nations said they had permitted a fort 
at Shamokin, which was to be destroyed in due time, and they 
now wished it removed. It was on their warpath and might make 
trouble between them and the soldiers. 

That year Edward Johnson, schoolmaster at the Tuscarora 
castle, made complaints. It was hard teaching such scholars. 
The Rev. Mr Wheelock wrote that a legacy of £750 from Sir 
Peter Warren had been appropriated by the General Assembly 
of Massachusetts for the support and education of six youths of 
the Six Nations, as he had desired. He had the youths and was 
teaching them, but the commissioners thought this was not the 
best way. They thought it better to have English schools among 
them, and he wanted Johnson's opinion. He replied that Whee- 
lock's plan was best, as the others would find if they tried theirs. 
In October of that year Johnson wrote to the Rev. Mr Barclay 
about a new edition of the Mohawk prayer book, sending the old 
one with some additional translations. 

Guy Johnson had a conference at Onondaga in December about 
the murder of two Englishmen by two Indians in the Seneca 
country. Nov. 30, he came to the upper Oneida Castle and the 
next day to Canowaroghere, (present Oneida Castle), a new vil- 
lage of the Oneidas. Dec. 2 he was at the Tuscarora village of 
Canaseraga, Dec. 4 he arrived at Onondaga and was welcomed 
by Otschiniata, or the Bunt. He was told that Kanisteo was a 
village of lawless stragglers, but the Indians would send there 
for the murderers. 



320 ttEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Chapter 20 

Connecticut people at Wyoming. Indians wish forts destroyed. Western 
scalp belt. Pontiac's war. Forts taken. Hostile Senecas. Indian complaints. 
Soldiers destroyed near Niagara. Iroquois land claims. Mohawk prayer 
book. Report on Indians. Six Nations join English against Ottawas. 
Indians on the Susquehanna. Conestogas killed. Towns burned on the 
Chemung. Peace with the Senecas. Niagara council. Education. Kirkland. 
Council with Delawares. English occupy Illinois. Pontiac at Oswego. 

In May 1763 four Iroquois deputies came to Johnson's house, 
having a message and several belts for the governor of Connec- 
ticut, desiring him to stop his people from settling on the Sus- 
quehanna. There had been trouble there before. They wanted 
some Mohawks to go with them and a deputy from Sir William 
to care for them on the road and prevent imposition. Lieutenant 
Johnson and an interpreter were sent. 

May 21 there arrived 139 sachems and warriors, and the desired 
council was opened with the usual ceremonies and belts. On the 
26th 45 Geneseos came ; and then the Onondaga speaker spoke 
for all, repeating the old agreements and relating later history. 
Now that the French were dead, the building of more forts made 
them uneasy. They feared that western traders might have 
trouble and advised that trade should be limited to Oswego, 
Niagara and Detroit. The Senecas had been persuaded to 
arrange about the murder. The Senecas then spoke, saying they 
would not rest till they brought a plaster for that wound. 

After the council an Indian came to say that the French had 
ascended the Mississippi and invested some English forts west- 
ward. A large belt, with English scalps, had been sent by them 
to the Six Nations, asking their aid, which was refused. The 
Indians were positive, but Johnson thought it an old belt, sending 
to Onondaga and elsewhere to learn more. In June the Onon- 
dagas sent wampum to the Indians on the Susquehanna, saying : 

This String of Wampum comes to let you know that the French 
that was killed is come alive again, and that there is seven of 
your out Posts taken and all the People killed by the French, 
and a number of wild Indians that have tails like Bears. 

An express arrived in June to report the investment of Detroit 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 321 

for 36 days, by from 500 to 1600 Ottawas, Ojibwas and Dela- 
wares. They feared the advancing power of the English ; but 
Johnson thought he had removed all difficulties at his Detroit 
conference in 1761. Dissatisfaction increased because presents 
were not continued to western Indians. The Mississagas and 
Ojibwas now blockaded Detroit and totally defeated 100 men 
sent to its relief. The Six Nations said they rejected this wes- 
tern alliance, but he feared the Senecas might fall away. The 
Mohawks had not been well used, yet were doing much for the 
English. Though few, they were still considered the head of the 
Six Nations by the rest. The Onondagas also showed a strong 
attachment. He ordered an interpreter to stay at Oswego to 
save trouble with Indians there. 

The western Indians captured a fort at Venango Pa., and a 
blockhouse at Presque Isle. The post at Leboeuff was aban- 
doned. Onondaga messengers said that Venango was treach- 
erously taken by some Geneseo Indians living near by. At a 
meeting at Onondaga the Senecas spoke with three belts, saying 
they had loosed their warriors against the English and wished 
the rest to do the same. This was rejected by all ; and the 
Onondagas sent a large belt to "the Senecas, desiring them to 
stop at once. All but the Senecas agreed to attend a council 
at German Flats. This was afterward changed to Johnson Hall 
on account of Johnson's indisposition. 

Since the conquest of Canada the western nations and Iro- 
quois had warred with the Cherokees, and parties often passed 
through the western parts of the colonies, keeping up a warlike 
spirit. The Geneseo Senecas, the hostile party, now sent bands 
to Irondequoit and Sodus to waylay passing boats. Johnson 
advised an expedition against the Ohio Indians, the Senecas, 
Delawares and Shawnees, the real authors of the present trouble. 
There was an engagement in August near Fort Pitt, between 
Colonel Bouquet and a large Indian force, the latter being 
defeated. The three murderers, authors of the trouble, were 
reported killed. That the Indians had serious grounds for com- 
plaint is not doubted, but some were due to themselves and of 



322 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

small weight. Some complained that Johnson gave them too 
little powder. He said: 

The Indians are remarkably the very worst managers of pow- 
der on every occasion, and whilst they have any ammunition 
are continually discharging their pieces at every little object, 
be their necessities ever so great. Every hunter consumes about 
8 lbs. of powder, and 20 lbs. of lead at his two hunting seasons 
in the year, and without that quantity a good hunter seldom 
chooses to go out. 

The council met Sep. 14, with 326 Iroquois present, and that 
day 246 more came from the Susquehanna as low as Owego, to 
say they would remain friends. Some Senecas also came from 
the friendly towns east of Geneseo. They wished to be recon- 
ciled to the English, not having struck the Virginia people. It 
was more likely the Shawnees. Messengers had not returned 
from the two towns near the Genesee river. The Caughnawagas 
sent a belt to the Senecas, saying that, if they forgot the old 
covenant, they and the Canada Indians would quarrel with them. 
The friendly Ottawas near Michilimackinac restored some Eng- 
lish prisoners. 

Teyawarunte, the Onondaga speaker, took the large covenant 
belt of 1754, repeated the old engagements made thereon, and on 
behalf of 18 nations brightened and renewed them. After the 
Canadian conquest Johnson had buried the hatchet under a large 
pine tree, in a stream of water, that it might no more be found. 
He now gave them a good English ax to cut off all bad links 
from the covenant chain. 

Sep. 25 he had an express, reporting the tragedy at the Devil's 
Hole, Niagara, where the Senecas destroyed one party and 
defeated two companies sent to its relief. The surprise was com- 
plete, five officers and 60 privates being killed. Many were 
thrown over the precipice. 

In October Johnson thus set forth the Iroquois land claims to 
the Lords of Trade : 

As Original proprietors, this Confederacy claim the Country of 
their residence, south of Lake Ontario to the great Ridge of the 
Blew Mountains, with all the Western part of the province of 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 323 

New York towards Hudsons River, west of the Caats Kill, thence 
to Lake Champlain, and from Reghioghne a Rock at the East 
side of said lake to Oswegatche or La Gattell on the River St. 
Lawrence (having long since ceded their claims North of said 
line in favour of the Canada Indians as Hunting ground) thence 
up the River St. Lawrence and along the South side of Lake 
Ontario to Niagara. 

In right of conquest they claim all the Country (comprehending 
the Ohio) along the great Ridge of Blew Mountains at the back 
of Virginia, thence to the head of Kentucke River, and down the 
same to the Ohio above the Rifts, thence Northerly to the South 
end of Lake Michigan, thence along the Eastern shore of said 
lake to Missilimackinac, then easterly across the North end of 
Lake Huron to the great Ottawa River (including the Chippawae 
or Mississagey Country) and down the said River to the Island 
of Montreal. . . their claim to the Ohio, and thence to the 
Lakes, is not in the least disputed by the Shawanese, Delawares, 
ettc, who never transacted any Sales of Land or other matters 
without their consent, and who sent Deputys to the grand Coun- 
cil at Onondaga on all important occasions. 

Johnson thought the northern Indians " the most formidable 
of any uncivilized body of people in the world." The Ottawa 
confederacy and the Six Nations looked on the northern parts 
of North America as their sole property, but the latter had suf- 
fered from land frauds. The corporation of Albany long before, 
by intoxicating the Indians, unfairly got a deed of the Mohawk 
flats at Fort Hunter; and he mentioned other cases likely to 
make trouble. The great Iroquois grievance was the chain of 
small forts, made in 1759 and reaching Lake Ontario. These 
were Fort Schuyler on the Mohawk, the Royal Blockhouse at 
the east end of Oneida lake, Fort Brewerton and a fort at Oswego 
Falls. They wished these abandoned according to promise. 

Good interpreters were needed to prevent misunderstandings. 
Missionaries ought to live among them; for, by their holding 
double cures, the Indians had very few services, with very poor 
interpreters. Many Mohawks had become quite proficient, read- 
ing the liturgy and preaching among themselves. To promote 
this, he had ordered a new edition of the Mohawk prayer book. 
The first, founded on the translation of the Rev. Mr Freeman, 
had been printed in New York in 1715 ; and the printers now 



3^4 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

found trouble from the unusual number of some letters. A still 
earlier Mohawk book of 16 pages was printed in Boston in 1707. 
In education, the Rev. Mr Wheelock reported that Joseph Brant 
and the other Indian boys were doing well. He then had 23 
Indians in his school. 

Toward the close of this year Johnson made a tabular state- 
ment of these confederacies, with the names, numbers and situa- 
tion of the nations. Of the Six Nations, the Mohawks, Onon- 
dagas and Senecas were considered the elder branches, the three 
others being the younger. The Mohawks had 160 men and two 
villages on their river, with some emigrants at Schoharie. The 
Oneidas had two villages ; one 25 miles from Fort Stanwix, and 
the other 12 miles west of (?) Oneida lake, with emigrants in 
several places toward the Susquehanna. They had 250 men. 
The Tuscaroras had 140 men, with one village 6 miles from the 
first Oneidas, and several about the Susquehanna. The Onon- 
dagas had 150 men; one large village being 6 miles from Onon- 
daga lake, with a smaller one at some distance. The Cayugas 
had 200 men, a large village near Cayuga lake, and several 
thence to the Susquehanna. The Senecas were 1050 men, with 
several villages, beginning about 50 ( ?) miles from Cayuga and 
from thence to Chenussio. The largest was about 70 miles from 
Niagara, with others thence to the Ohio. Two eastern villages, 
Kanadasero and Kanaderagey, adhered to the English ; the others 
were in the western confederacy. The Oswegatchies were 80 
men, chiefly Onondagas, living at La Galette on the St Law- 
rence. The Nanticokes and others were southern Indians, 
removed to the Susquehanna and subject to the Six Nations. 
In Canada the Mohawk Caughnawagas were 300 men and 
attached to the English. Others were mentioned. Many of the 
Iroquois had no fixed residence, and their numbers could not be 
computed. 

In December the Six Nations were in their best mood and 
ready to join the English against the Ottawa confederacy, partly 
because the Indians about Detroit had asked for peace and 
obtained a truce till spring. Lieutenant Governor Colden thought 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 325 

it would still be wise to punish the troublesome Senecas. They 
had sent deputies to Johnson with offers of peace, laying the 
blame on the Delawares and Shawnees. If matters could be 
arranged, they were ready to join the English and help subdue 
the authors of the war. The other nations seconded their request, 
and Johnson favored pacific measures. 

He advised that each confederacy should separately guaran- 
tee free passage to the English ; that the Senecas should give 
up the Niagara portage; that the French should be sent away 
from Michilimackinac, Miami etc., and that the Jesuit missions 
should be abolished for political reasons. He had given the war 
belt to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, who heartily received it, 
and he hoped much from this. 

At this time the towns on the Susquehanna had quite a mixed 
population. Thus in September 1763 a Nanticoke chief brought 
messages to Philadelphia from " The Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Dela- 
wares, and Munseys, living at Onohoquagey; Nanticokes, Con- 
oys, Onondagoes, & Mohickons at Chenango; Cayuga & Mun- 
sies at Chokenote." 

Dec. 14 six Conestogas were killed and scalped in Pennsylvania 
by a mob of white men, and a larger mob broke into a workhouse 
and killed 14 more Dec. 2J. On this, the Pennsylvania Council 
sent 140 Conestogas to New York for safety, but the authorities 
there refused to receive them and sent them back. 

Hostilities continued. In February 1764 Johnson sent several 
Iroquois parties, numbering about 200, to the forks and branches 
of the Susquehanna against the enemy. The first party sur- 
prised a band of Delawares Feb. 27, at the main branch of the 
river, who were going against the English. The whole band was 
taken, and among the 41 prisoners was their chief, Captain Bull, 
a son of Teedyuscung and an active foe. 

Pontiac was still disposed to be hostile at Detroit. Gen. 
Thomas Gage spoke of him as " a person of extra abilities." He 
kept two secretaries ; one to read letters, and the other to write 
answers, each being ignorant of what the other did. 

Out of the 41 Delaware prisoners, 14 were sent to New York. 



3 2 6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

The rest were distributed among the friendly Indians to replace 
deceased relatives. Another small party had equal success, and 
the alarmed Senecas sent deputies to Johnson, concluding peace 
with him Ap. 3. They were to deliver up all prisoners, desert- 
ers, Frenchmen and negroes among them, and the Indians of 
Canisteo who murdered the traders in 1762. They also ceded the 
whole carrying place at Niagara to the English, a tract 14 miles 
long by 4 wide, and the English were to have free passage 
through the Seneca country. 

Ap. 1, 1764, Captain Montour led 140 Iroquois from Qquaga 
and found Kanhaughton abandoned. It was the nearest hostile 
town and had 36 good houses of squared logs, with stone chim- 
neys. They burned this and went up the Cayuga branch, 
destroying another town of 30 good houses, with four villages. 
Then they went to Canisteo, where hostilities commenced. It 
was the largest Delaware town, and they burned 60 good houses, 
a vast amount of corn, agricultural implements and saddles. 
Horses and cattle were many but in poor condition. The Dela- 
wares fled to the Shawnees and were pursued. 

In August Johnson held a council with the western Indians at 
Niagara, nearly all being represented, with 1700 warriors out of 
2060 present. Peace was formally made with the hostile Senecas 
and with the Hurons of Detroit. Pontiac sent to ask peace. The 
rest said they were friends already. 

Indian education made some progress. The schoolmaster at 
Canajoharie said the Indians would have their children taught 
but not chastised by him. The Rev. Mr Wheelock sent David 
Fowler to settle and teach at Oneida in 1765. The same year the 
Rev. Samuel Kirkland made a trip to the Seneca town of Kana- 
desaga at Seneca lake. On the way he stopped at Onondaga, 
where he had a reception, his guide explaining his mission to 
Otschiniata, or the Bunt, of whom Kirkland said : 

The venerable old chief replied, and spoke like a Demosthenes, 
for more than half an hour. He then took me by the hand, and 
embraced me, kissed one cheek and then the other. I supposed 
I must return the compliment; I accordingly kissed his red 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 327 

cheeks, not disgusted at all with the remains of the paint and 
grease with which they had lately been besmeared. He gave 
me many blessings while he held me by the hand. 

Kirkland had a formal reception by the Senecas and was 
adopted by the head chief. While among them, he visited 
Niagara. In some places they treated him " with no more 
respect than they would shew to a dog." 

Johnson had a council with 900 Delawares, Iroquois etc. in 
April 1765. The Delawares leveled the graves of the English 
slain, gathering up the scattered bones, burying them under a 
large pine tree and covering them with a great rock. Johnson 
replied to them May 2. They had gone through the ceremony 
of condolence and taken the ax out of the head of the English, 
but they were women, and he never before knew that women car- 
ried an ax; their business being to pound corn. He talked 
severely to them, but afterward made an amicable arrangement; 
then for the first time he took them by the hand, and the Six 
Nations also shook hands with them. At this time partial 
arrangements were made for a definite boundary line. 

Pontiac was still busy; but Johnson thought an interview 
would set matters right and held a council in July with the Ohio 
Indians, who signed a peace treaty. The Shawnees also gave up 
four prisoners who had been adopted into families, a thing very 
unusual, and would do so with the rest. That summer Col. 
George Croghan set out for the Illinois. As he was descending 
the Ohio June 8, some Kickapoos and Maskoutins captured his 
party, taking him to a village on the Wabash, where he was 
released with apologies and escorted thence to the Illinois. Near 
there he met Pontiac, who agreed to yield the French posts, 
reserving the land, and to go with him to Detroit, where Croghan 
held a council with the western Indians and dissolved their 
league with the French. Pontiac and the other chiefs agreed to 
visit Johnson the following year. In these councils all things 
were confirmed by pipes and belts. That year Illinois was in 
the possession of the English, and they had a garrison in Fort 
Chartres. 



328 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Some lawless people again made trouble in 1766 by settling 
on land beyond Fort Pitt and killing Indians there. In July 
Johnson had a council at Oswego with Pontiac and chiefs of the 
Ottawas, Pottawattomies, Hurons and O jib was, which he opened 
with the usual ceremonies, and then caused Pontiac's pipe to be 
lighted and passed to all present by the interpreter. The Iro- 
quois, who were present, seem to have used the calumet less for- 
mally than the southern and western Indians. 

On the third day Otschiniata came with some Onondaga war- 
riors, desiring a hearing. They had come back with a Cherokee 
scalp and gave it to Sir William to be disposed of after they had 
painted the scalp belt attached to it. He gave them pipes, 
tobacco and liquor, and they crossed the river and danced all 
night. The council was held in a bower prepared for the pur- 
pose. Teyawarunte, the Onondaga speaker, stood up in the full 
council afterward and replaced Ganughsadega, former speaker of 
the Onondagas, in Johnson's name, as he had long ago given a 
large black belt of wampum for this purpose. The scalp was 
taken by Karaghiagigo, an Onondaga friend of Sir William. 

Pontiac said that all the belts that went northward went by his 
village and came from the Senecas. It would take long to gather 
them, and they were more than a man could carry. Only one 
bad belt had come from him, and he now recalled this from the 
Six Nations, begging them to return it. " The Onondaga speaker 
lighted a calumet of peace, which Sir William left in their hands 
many years ago for that purpose, and handed it about to the 
Western Indians." He then addressed them on a bunch of wam- 
pum, exhorting all to peace. The report that some Onondagas 
had been killed by the English near Fort Pitt was false, for they 
were now present. He asked that a Frenchman, now trading 
there for ginseng, might be allowed to live among the Onondagas 
and Oneidas, or on Oneida lake. The Onondagas liked no 
troublesome belts, and none such should come to their town or 
council ; they therefore left the withdrawal of Pontiac's belt to 
the Senecas, Cayugas and Oneidas. That chief promised con- 
tinued friendship and peace. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 329 

After his return west, Pontiac received French and Spanish 
belts to engage him against the English, but told the Indians he 
would stand fast to his agreement with Johnson. 

Chapter 21 

More Tuscaroras come north. Royal grant. Boundary. Traders. Instruc- 
tion. Dissatisfaction. Johnson in the Onondaga country. Murders of 
Indians. Peace between Cherokees and Six Nations. Land grants settled. 
Boundary treaty at Fort Stanwix. Johnson in the Iroquois country. 
Council at Shamokin. Seneca George. Council at German Flats. Dearth. 
Reproof of western Indians. Scioto council. 

Some Tuscarora chiefs went to North Carolina in the spring 
of 1766, with an interpreter, and brought thence 160 of their 
people. Some came the following winter and were alarmed at 
the deep snow. They brought certificates of good behavior from 
the magistrates of all the districts through which they passed, 
but their lives were in danger from lawless people, so that they 
had to be protected. The worst place was Paxton Pa., where 
they were robbed of several horses, and they complained to John- 
son. Some stopped for a time at Shamokin and Wyalusing on 
the Susquehanna. That year Zeisberger made his last visits 
to Onondaga and Cayuga, obtaining a grant of land for the 
Moravian Indians at and above Wyalusing. 

At this time Johnson applied for the tract afterward called the 
Royal Grant, north of the Mohawk and near Canajoharie. He 
said he had obtained but a small amount of Indian land and had 
paid full value for all. This would seem to dispose of his " dream- 
ing " with Hendrick, even if this were not in itself improbable, 
Hendrick having no personal power to give or sell land. That 
belonged to the Council or individual owners, usually requiring 
the assent of the three clans. There is, however, a legal refer- 
ence to the " dreamland " purchase, as it was sometimes called. 

In May 1767 Johnson had a council with the Six Nations at 
German Flats, at the request of Pennsylvania and Maryland, to 
get their consent to running the division line of these colonies 
over the Allegheny mountains. He effected this. The Iroquois 
also agreed to make peace with the Cherokees when their deputies 
arrived. He wrote of several matters at this time. Traders with 



33° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

the Indians should be under stricter regulations. He had always 
relied on a few approved chiefs of the several nations, whom he 
had known for 20 years and who had never deceived him. These 
were now alarmed at the state of his health and they were also 
growing old. Some of these nations were increasing, having 
been long at peace, and they were warriors, too, whereas the Eng- 
lish were traders. Many of these traders pushed into the heart 
of the country, and this might lead to trouble. They wanted 
traders, but honest ones, and these they could not always have. 
There was dissatisfaction among them ; and, unless he could do 
them justice, evil might follow. The death of the principal 
Seneca chief, who was attached to the English, might remove a 
bar to "the discontent amongst these jealous and troublesome 
people." To ascertain the exact condition of affairs, he would 
at once visit the Onondaga country, under pretense of a tour 
for health. 

The best channel for religious instruction to the Indians, he 
thought, was through the Six Nations, but practically there was 
no missionary in these. The one at Albany preached to the Mo- 
hawks occasionally; but, if some had not been able to read the 
books given them by Johnson, in their language, they would have 
been almost strangers to Christianity. The New England Society 
had sent some young persons, some of them in orders, to Oneida 
and Onoghquaga and one to the Senecas, but these had little suc- 
cess. Distinctions in religion perplexed the Indians. They liked 
pomp and ceremony in worship, and mistakes had been made in 
trying to abolish at once innocent dances, rejoicings at weddings, 
etc. Both discretion and ability were necessary for successful 
missionary work among them. 

Johnson returned from Onondaga in October. Things did not 
look favorable there. At a council the Indians brought up their 
many grievances, and the French were busy among them. The 
Onondagas did not wish to be hostile, but would not answer for 
any one, injured as they were. Bad belts and messages were 
daily sent among them. The Senecas and Mississagas quarreled 
at the Niagara portage, and Norman Mac Clod, commissary of 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 33 1 

Indian affairs, who was there, sent to Castesh, (Guastarax) chief 
of the Senecas, to inform him of this. He came and desired 
liquor-selling stopped for the time being, which was done. He 
said the Senecas would hold to the English, but there were bad 
belts everywhere, and he could not answer for all. His party 
then went off and became drunk, returning in a few days. 

Aug. 24 Mac Clod was informed of bad belts passing and sent 
to two Seneca chiefs to know about them. They said the belts 
had not stopped at their village, but had gone to the Oneidas 
and might return. There were two, but they seemed harmless. 
They had been seen at Totieronno at the head of Cayuga lake. 
The old women of the Senecas had stopped their young men 
from going to war. Castesh was an old rogue and had the bad 
belt when he was at the Niagara council. It was very large. 

Before he returned in October Johnson spent three weeks at 
Oneida lake. There he met the Indians at Tuscarora creek, who 
" were greatly affected at the death of a remarkable chief of the 
Onondagas," and he " was obliged to perform all the ceremony 
on that occasion." 

The Cherokee deputies arrived at the end of 1767 and met 
760 Iroquois at Johnson Hall Mar. 3, 1768. All the latter were 
very discontented and had nearly turned back on account of some 
cruel murders in Pennsylvania. A white man there had six 
Indians in his house, who became drunk and troublesome, and he 
killed them all. The next day he and his servant went to a cabin 
14 miles away, killed four more and burned them and the house. 
Being arrested, he was set free from jail by the riotous inhabi- 
tants. The Assembly voted money to appease the Indians, but 
Johnson at first had small hopes of doing this. 
. The Cherokees went through the usual condolence and buried 
the hatchet, but did not take it out of the heads of the English. 
Johnson reproved them for this, and they apologized and repaired 
the omission next day. Mar. 5 the Six Nations were long in 
assembling; and because of this the Cherokees refused "to 
open their embassy from a superstitious notion that, as it was 
noon, the day was too far advanced for a work of peace, according 



332 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

to the opinion of the southern nations." The Iroquois had many 
similar ideas of a suitable time, but agreed to meet earlier next 
day. 

The Cherokees were introduced by Johnson next morning, and 
Oucanastota, a great Cherokee chief who had been in England, 
" stood up, ranged all his belts, calumets of peace, etc., in order," 
and then spoke. He had come from Chotte, at the forks of the 
Tellico and Little Tennessee rivers, " where the Wise House, 
the House of Peace is erected." It was long since the sachem 
of Chotte made peace with the Onondagas, and he was now dead, 
but they remembered the talk yet. Oucanastota made eloquent 
addresses on n belts and three strings. One for Sir William had 
a calumet and eagle's tail attached. 

Next day the council met outdoors, that all the warriors might 
hear the reply to the Cherokees, who were addressed as younger 
brothers. The Six Nations had come to meet them, after the 
manner of their " ancestors, whose kettle was always ready, with 
their packs and seven men allotted to each canoe, and with a good 
stick in their hands, ready to chastise evil doers." The speech 
continued : 

As we are your Elder Brothers, and consequently have more 
understanding than you, we must tell you that you have not 
done thereon as you ought. You have not cleared the road of 
rubbish according to the form you ought to have observed, 
neither have you taken the hatchet out of our heads. We now 
take it, and put it on one side. 

Mar. 8, the Six Nations and the Caughnawagas being desirous 

to condole the Mohawks on the death of a chief before other 

business, 

Conoghquieson of Oneida, on behalf of the three younger 
Branches of the Confederacy, namely, the Oneidas, Tuscaroras 
and Cayugas, went through the whole ceremony of condolance 
with the Elder Branches, namely the Mohawks, Onondagas and 
Cenecas, which done, the latter, by the Speaker of Onondaga, in 
a set speech, gave them thanks for their Condolence, and for their 
adherence to the Customs of their forefathers. 

A peace was concluded and signed between the Cherokees and 

Six Nations, and satisfaction was made for the Pennsylvania 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 333 

murders. A small hatchet still out against the Cherokees would 
be called back. Etiquette ruled on this occasion, and Tagawarra, 
a chief warrior of the Oneidas, rose to correct some errors of the 
sachems. Some bones of the Iroquois and the Cherokees might 
lie along the road both were now to travel. He said : " We 
therefore now collect the bones of both people, and after the 
manner of our ancestors, we inter them in a deep pit, so that the 
water shall carry them away, forever from our sight." 

Johnson took a severe cold while attending this open air council 
and went to the seashore for his health Ap. 24, leaving Guy 
Johnson in charge of affairs. The necessary belts were sent for 
the boundary conference, but it could not be held before Sep- 
tember. Indian affairs westward looked bad, and bad belts had 
come to the Six Nations. In August, however, Governor Moore 
was able to settle the 60 years dispute about the Kayaderosseras 
patent; the patentees releasing part of the land claimed to the 
Indians, and the Indians giving up the surveyed portions on the 
receipt of $5000. In an earlier visit to the Mohawk country, 
Governor Moore examined the carrying place at Little Falls, 
surveying that ground with a view to making a canal there and 
avoiding a portage. This he would recommend to the Assembly. 
The carrying places afforded a considerable revenue to Indians 
disposed to work. 

In September Johnson went to Fort Stanwix for the boundary 
conference. The Indians came iii slowly; but by Oct. 1 there 
were 805 there. Those of most consequence had not come, a 
Seneca chief having died suddenly, whom it was necessary to 
condole in that country. This delay occasioned great expense, 
as by Oct. 14 there were 930 Indians present, each of whom ate 
more than two ordinary white men, and did not like to be stinted 
at councils. Worse than this, there were private belts passing 
among them and all sorts of stories. Those who had been most 
desirous of a boundary line now cared least for it. The French 
and Spaniards had given a formal invitation to a general Indian 
council at the Mississippi, and this might make trouble. 



334 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Johnson opened the council at Fort Stanwix Oct. 24, nearly 
3000 Indians being present. He settled the boundary question, 
conceding the Six Nations' right to the land south to the Chero- 
kee river, and they ceded this to the king. The Cherokees never 
claimed west of the Great mountains or north of that river; 
but the Six Nations always maintained their claim. The line 
followed the Ohio river up to Kittanning, above Pittsburg ; thence 
east to the west branch of the Susquehanna and along this to 
Tiadaghton creek; thence northeast along Burnett's hills to 
Awandoe creek, and down this to the Susquehanna. It followed 
that river to Owego, and then ran due east to the Delaware, 
ascending that stream to a point due south of Tianderra or Una- 
dilla creek, and thence to that stream. The line ran nearly north 
from that point to Canada creek, an affluent of Wood creek. The 
country north and east still belonged to the Oneidas and Mo- 
hawks and might be bought at any time. The presents cost 
£10,460, 7s, 3d. 

At this time the lines between the Mohawks and Stockbridges 
were mutually adjusted, and the latter went home before the 
council opened. The Mohawks were styled the true old heads 
of the confederacy, and signed the deed first of all. The sig- 
natures and devices are each six in number. Tyorhansere alias 
Abraham made a steel for the Mohawks, Canaghquieson a tree 
for the Oneidas, Sequarusera a cross for the Tuscaroras, Otsin- 
oghiyata alias Bunt a hill for the Onondagas, Tegaaia a pipe for 
the Cayugas, and Guastrax a high hill for the Senecas. 

At the opening of the council Johnson performed the usual 
ceremonies. " The nations gave the Yo-hah at the proper places, 
and the ceremony of condolence " ended. Besides New York, 
there were present representatives of Pennsylvania, New Jersey 
and Virginia. Governor Franklin, of New Jersey received the 
name of Sagorighweyoghsta, Great Doer of Justice, because he 
had caused some murderers of Indians to be executed. 

Johnson gave the covenant chain belt, with human figures at 
each end. The Rev. Mr Wheelock obstructed but did not pre- 
vent the cession of New York lands. Johnson offered to have 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 335 

Fort Ontario, at Oswego, evacuated or put on the same footing 
with Fort Stanwix. The Indians answered that it might stay 
and the others also, so long as they were civilly treated at them. 

The next year he went to Onondaga, arriving there July 10, 
1769. The chiefs of that nation and neighboring villages were 
in great need of corn from a failure of their crops. Before the 
public council he held several private conferences with chiefs in 
their hunting cabins. Returning late one night, his canoe upset, 
and in ascending the bank he hurt his wounded leg. When a 
little easier, he held a council. Then he went to Cayuga and met 
500 Indians, and thence to the Senecas, where he met 2000 more. 
While he was there, word came that some Cherokees were on 
their way to Onondaga to attend a general council in September. 
These chiefs afterward spoke with 20 belts, desiring to renew 
and strengthen their alliance. During his stay with the Senecas 
Indians came from several nations with belts of union etc. At 
this time Johnson reported 2000 warriors among the Six Nations. 
His edition of the Mohawk prayer book was finished that year, 
400 copies being printed, and few surviving the war. 

There was a council at Shamokin Pa. that year, which illus- 
trated in several ways the effect of religious teaching on the Six 
Nations, desultory as it had been : 

Sunday, August 20, 1769. — The Indians having understood that 
Doctor Smith was to have Divine Service to White People assem- 
bled at the Fort, Seneca George sent Notice that his People wor- 
shipped the same God with the English, and would attend Divine 
Service, which they did accordingly, with great Decency, and 
Isaac Still interpreted the Conclusion of the Discourse, which was 
particularly addressed to them. 

The chief's son had been shot in July by a nephew of Conrad 
Weiser, and Frederick Weiser spoke of this in the council. 

Seneca George was much affected when the matter was brought 
up and said, " He was all the Child I had ; and now I am old, 
the loss of him hath almost entirely cut away my Heart, but I 
am yet pleased my Brother Weiser, the Son of my old Friend, 
has taken this Method to dry my Tears, 



336 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

He made a most affecting speech expressing his forgiveness, 
ending by saying to all present, while extending his arms : 

" Nor have I any ill-will to any of you, my Brethren the Eng- 
lish." That manly Spirit of Forgiveness and Reconciliation 
which Seneca George showed on this Occasion, by his Looks, 
Gesture, and whole Action, made some of those at the Table cry 
out as he ran up, holding out his hand to them, " This is Noble," 
for here his Speech stood in need of no Interpretation. 

Joseph Chew wrote to Johnson about missionary work and 
settlements among the Six Nations, and said : 

Numbers of the Saints have applied to me. I informed them 
that I heard the Seneca and Onondaga sachems say none of 
them should come amongst them, until the Oneidas grew better 
and reformed their manners. 

In July 1770 Johnson had a great Indian congress at German 
Flats. It was a time of very great scarcity, caterpillars having 
devoured the crops, while in the Indian country many fields were 
entirely ruined. There were other adverse circumstances, for 
farther south the whites still wantonly killed Indians and made 
trouble in many ways. Some Algonquins came to this congress 
and told him that seven canoes of Ojibwas were at Oswego, on 
their way. 

The Bunt and the Onondaga speaker waited on Sir William 
and told him that Diaquanda, their head warrior, had refused to 
attend to business and had encamped with another nation. As 
he was the particular friend of Johnson, the latter soon persuaded 
him to do better. During the treaty 2320 Indians were present, 
and it was difficult to feed all these in a time of dearth. The 
Cherokees sent seven deputies, desiring peace, and Johnson urged 
this, but most of the Iroquois wished for war. Yet they con- 
sented to make no war on the southern Indians unless they were 
troublesome. The Mohawks said they were now Christians and 
had a church, but were neglected, having no minister. All the 
nations said Yo-hah to the covenant chain, and the council broke 
up pleasantly, several private conferences following. That year 
the Rev. John Stuart took charge of the Mohawk mission and 
was thorough and successful, living on the spot. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 337 

During the council the Six Nations presented the address they 
would send to the Piankashaws, Kickapoos and other western 
Indians. Their messengers would inform them of the peace 
between the Iroquois and the Cherokees, and of the good under- 
standing with the English. The Iroquois were surprised at their 
conduct to them and to the English traders going to the Illinois. 
They were out of their senses, and the Six Nations took them by 
the head, shaking them so as to restore their wits and taking the 
hatchet from their hands because they did mischief. If they 
proved obstinate, there would be war, and with war, ruin. 

In the autumn of 1770 a great Indian congress met at Scioto 
in Ohio, intended for a stricter union among the Indians. It 
ended in general resolutions for peace among all, introductory to 
a firm alliance between the northern and southern nations for 
some purpose not made known. Johnson opposed this council 
but could not prevent it. His deputies from the council at 
German Flats met the Indians from Scioto at Fort Pitt in Decem- 
ber, and summoned them to reassemble at Scioto, when they 
would communicate the resolutions agreed to at German Flats 
and on which they had over 100 belts. He had great confi- 
dence in several of these deputies and hoped to defeat anything 
dangerous. 

In July 1771 he held a council with 350 of the Six Nations, on 
a report that they were stirring up the Shawnees, Delawares and 
others to war on the English. They denied it, but he gave his 
authority, and this brought explanations. Then he thought there 
was reason to distrust only the Senecas on the Ohio and at Gene- 
seo. The Indians themselves examined those present from the 
farthest castle, who said that any remaining evil must have come 
from Guastarax, chief of the Senecas, who was now under ground 
but had been a bad and troublesome man. In the late Indian 
war he secretly sent a belt hatchet to the Shawnees and others, 
that he would remove the door of the Six Nations from his vil- 
lage of Geneseo to Scioto plains, and he wished them to help him 
fight his way there. The Senecas then disavowed his acts. As 
his cunning was now well known, they thought it likely he had 



33^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

sent belts to the Ohio, an instance having just come to light. 
Some of these belts might still remain, though most were dis- 
regarded. If any secret hatchet remained still with the Ohio 
Indians, they desired to take it away and bury it forever. 

Chapter 22 

Indian customs and language. Mohawk missions and books. Shawnees at 
Scioto. Death of Thomas King. Second Scioto council. Bad belts. Three 
notices before war. Trouble with pioneers. Guy Johnson to be Sir 
William's successor. Council at Johnson's. Logan's family killed. Seneca 
prisoners released. Death of Sir William. Condolence. Council with Guy 
Johnson. Bunt's successor. Kayashuta. Union belt. Iroquois emigrants. 
Religious troubles. 

In that year Johnson gave Arthur Lee an interesting account 
of the customs and language of the Indians. The nearer tribes 
had lost many of their old customs, blending some English with 
others, so that it was difficult to trace them back or account for 
them. Some farther off had been affected by intercourse with 
traders, but retained many customs whose origin was forgotten. 
The most remote had most of their primitive usages, but could 
give only fabulous accounts of them. These also confounded 
ideas and ceremonies introduced by the Jesuits with their own 
ancient rites. 

The Mohawks were still considered the head of the Six Nations, 
though greatly reduced. At present they had more to do with 
the English than with their own brethren. They were members 
of the Church of England, most of them read and some could 
write very well. Sometimes they made a cross in signing a 
deed; but, if it were of importance, they made a steel, used in 
striking fire from a flint. This symbol of their nation they called 
Canniah, and themselves Canniungaes. 

The Oneidas came next, also much reduced. Attempts had 
been made to civilize and convert them, but most were in a 
primitive state, with ancient customs much decayed. One of 
their symbols was a tree expressing stability, but their true 
emblem was a stone, called Onoya, whence they called themselves 
Onoyuts. The Onondagas, 40 miles farther, well versed in 
ancient customs, called themselves People of the Great Mountain. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 339 

The Cayugas, 40 miles beyond, had a pipe for their symbol. 
The Senecas were the farthest and most numerous of the Iro- 
quois, with several towns and symbols, of which little could be 
understood. 

The sachem's authority was greatest in the most distant 
nations. Nearer by he had but little. Sachems were usually 
chosen in public assemblies, but some had office by inheritance. 
The chief sachem was often called king. 

The Indians north of the St Lawrence, west of the Great lakes, 
on the New England coast and in Ohio, spoke a language radi- 
cally the same and could communicate ; while the Six Nations 
in their midst could not convey a single idea to them, or speak 
a word of their language correctly. They had no letters, but 
used hieroglyphics, of which he gave instances. Red was a sign 
of war ; castles were square white figures ; alliances were shown 
by human figures holding a belt; a hatchet meant war; and 
their totems showed their names or clans. 

The Rev. Charles Inglis had visited Johnson in 1770, and in 
1771 wrote a memorial to the British prime minister on con- 
verting and civilizing the Indians, to which Guy Johnson added 
a map of their country, having many interesting features. The 
memorial embodied much of Johnson's own experience and 
ideas. Inglis had this " copied out fair in a good hand, and in 
a quarto size; and having a marble cover, with Col. Johnson's 
accurate map prefixed, it made a handsome looking pamphlet." 

Meanwhile the Rev. Mr Stuart was preaching acceptably to 
the English, Dutch and Mohawks, and acquiring the Mohawk 
language. The following winter he visited Joseph Brant at 
Canajoharie, who afterward lived with him and aided in new 
translations and revisions. When they had finished the Gospel 
of St Mark, part of the Acts, a short history of the Bible, an 
explanation of the catechism, and some additions to the Mohawk 
prayer book, Stuart had orders to have them printed in New York 
at the expense of the S. P. G. The Revolution prevented this, 
but he took the manuscripts to Canada and gave them to Col. 
Daniel Claus, who afterward took them to England. Part of 



34° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

these became the prayer book of 1787, which also included the 
Gospel of St Mark. 

Two of the Iroquois deputies to the Scioto council died on their 
way home, and they were the principal ones. The others showed 
Sir William a number of belts and calumets and told him all 
they could. They had talked first with the Shawnees at Fort 
Pitt, and they said the Wawiaghtanons would soon send deputies 
to the Six Nations and Johnson. At the council they blamed the 
Shawnees for going so far down the Ohio and confederating with 
unfriendly Indians. All the belts sent were faithfully rendered. 
Nickaroondase was the principal survivor of those who went to 
Scioto that year. 

The Shawnees replied to this reproof that the Six Nations had 
long seemed to neglect them, and to forget their promise of land 
between the Ohio and the lakes. So they started to seek their 
fortunes in their canoes, but were stopped by the Iroquois at 
Scioto, shaken by the head and fixed there, with a charge to live 
at peace with the English. Soon after they were surprised at 
seeing the Six Nations in arms and coasting along the lake with 
the English. When the war was over the ill treatment of the 
Iroquois increased, and they sent belts to strengthen the union, 
but supposed they had not reached them. They showed emble- 
matic belts, representing them and the Illinois, with 10 con- 
federate nations between them. They were answered by a true 
statement of the case and were told to come to Onondaga. On 
this they excused their acts and promised that they and their 
allies would be peaceable. 

Sep. 24, 1771, some Cayugas and Tuscaroras were in Phila- 
delphia, their speaker being Cheahogah, a Cayuga chief. Cawan- 
daghsaw brought a letter from Charleston S. C, dated Sep. 6, 
saying that Da-ya-gough-de-re-sesh, or Thomas King, had died 
there of fever the day before. The Indian had 20 belts and many 
strings given to King by southern Indians. 

In April 1772 Johnson had notice of another general meeting 
at Scioto to impart the sentiments of the Six Nations to those 
not at the last council. He took care that delegates from the 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 34I 

north were reliable men. The Shawnees, he said, had no title 
to the north side of the Ohio where they lived, " having been 
often moved from place to place by the Six Nations." When 
this council met the Piankashaws, Kickapoos and Wabash 
Indians did not attend because the Six Nations had killed some 
of their people the year before. The absentees were reproved, 
and messages were sent them. The bad belts sent by Guastarax, 
the Seneca chief, were called for, but had been stopped by the 
Cherokees. Other bad belts were produced, one of them being 
a French belt, among the largest Johnson had ever seen. 

Those present promised to come to Onondaga and bring all 
the belts, but were not there at the appointed time. Johnson 
proposed they should bring the Ohio Senecas nearer home. 
There were difficulties. Traders needed regulating, and fron- 
tiersmen were lawless and troublesome. A secret alliance was 
in progress in the southwest, and with a view to this some Shaw- 
nees and Delawares proposed sending a deputation to England, 
to say that the Six Nations were unfriendly to them and ask to 
be freed from their rule. 

The latter sent to require their emigrants to live nearer home 
and then called a council at Onondaga, which was held the next 
winter, where they convinced the Senecas of their misconduct. 
It was of the utmost importance to have the friendship of the 
Iroquois in case of war, for they could be the best of friends 
or most dangerous of enemies. This was particularly so with 
the Senecas, whose belts had done harm. 

In 1773 the Six Nations said they had summoned the Pian- 
kashaws and other troublesome western nations to the great 
fireplace at Onondaga • " We have already called upon them 
twice, and agreeably to our ancient customs shall do so the third 
time, before we strike." They objected to being called to account 
for the death of every lawless trader. The French were more 
reasonable. 

Johnson again complained of the pioneers, who generally had 
a prejudice against all Indians, and the Indians were disposed to 
retaliate. So some of the upper Senecas had killed four French- 



34 s NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

men "on Lake Ontario, making light of it till told they were 
British subjects. Then they came to Johnson, proposing to cover 
their graves, but he insisted they should give up the murderers, 
which they promised to do. The notorious George Klock had 
long been hiding from officers of the law and had lately a great 
quarrel with the Canajoharie chiefs. Then he got three young 
Mohawks to go with him to a seaport, on their way to England. 

In April 1774 Sir William nominated Col. Guy Johnson, his 
son-in-law, as his successor at his death, agreeably to the wish 
of the Six Nations. The same month he had a council with 
260 Iroquois, who delivered up two Senecas concerned in the 
murder of the four Frenchmen, though this was opposed to their 
ancient customs. As this was the first instance of the kind, he 
thought it would be good policy to discharge the offenders soon. 
It was at this time that Governor Tryon reckoned the Six 
Nations as 10,000 souls and 2000 warriors. 

In June 1774 occurred the murder of Logan's family, popularly 
ascribed to Colonel Cresap at the time. Three of Shikellimy's 
sons survived him, all being Cayugas, because their mother was 
of that nation, though their father was an Oneida chief. The 
eldest was Taghneghtoris, or John Shikellimy, who succeeded 
his father for a time. The second was Soyeghtowa, or James 
Logan, the unfortunate chief whose eloquent speech Thomas 
Jefferson so highly praised. The youngest was Sagogehyata, 
or John Petty, having the same Indian name as Red Jacket, a 
favorite one with the Cayugas. The murdered people having 
many relatives in New York, a strong feeling was aroused, 
though the war was confined to Virginia, Logan himself refrain- 
ing from harming his early Pennsylvania friends. 

The Six Nations asked Johnson to release the two young Sen- 
ecas, which he hoped to do, and which the king soon commanded. 
One died before release and was condoled July 9, a council having 
assembled at Johnson Hall that month. Sir William held several 
conferences at this time; and the Indians promised for them- 
selves and their head women, who had much influence with the 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 343 

young men, to keep them quiet. They acceded to the request of 
the Montauks and would settle them at Canowaroghere, now 
Oneida Castle. They received them as children and hoped they 
would prove worthy. 

The Cayugas wished no more rum sold in their country. 
Traders might pass through but must not stop. Sir William 
addressed the council on the Shawnees and the Cresap and Logan 
trouble. He was very weak at this time and the fatigue was too 
much. Two hours after the conference, on the nth, he died, 
and he was placed in the family vault at Johnstown July 13, 1774. 

So sudden a loss at so critical a time had a startling effect, and 
the Indians were at once in great doubt and confusion. Swift 
runners were given belts and sent to all the nations to announce 
his death ; but Col. Guy Johnson was equal to the occasion, and 
order was quickly restored. All the Indians remained to attend 
his funeral, with the 2000 people from the country around. Next 
day the customary ceremony of condolence was performed, and 
the council soon broke up. 

The Shawnees and their confederates sent to the western 
Indians to join them against the Virginians, but some refused. 
They applied to the Six Nations at Onondaga, but Guy Johnson 
had messengers there before them, and the Shawnees were told 
not to expect aid, but the Iroquois would soon hold a council 
and take peace measures which all would regard. 

In September 235 Iroquois chiefs and warriors had a confer- 
ence with Guy Johnson, and among these were their best men. 
They went through formal condolences, the Bunt being very elo- 
quent. Teyawarunte, the Onondaga speaker, with three strings 
covered the grave, wiped away tears, removed grief, cleared the 
sky, etc. The Bunt's oldest son produced the several marks of 
Johnson's regard for him, and according to old custom laid them 
down before Colonel Johnson, who restored them. Others did 
the same. They renewed the old covenant chain of 21 rows, 
and gave Guy Johnson a new name, Uraghquadirha, Rays of 
the Sun enlightening the Earth. Goragh was often added to 



344 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

this in speeches, meaning great. Joseph Chew, secretary of 
Indian affairs, had the name' of Decariaderoga, Junction of Two 
Lakes of Different Qualities. 

They were trying to recall their people and prevent war, but 
few had come back. They had also found a large black belt 
with two axes on it, given to an Oneida by the French at the 
close of the late war. When the French raised themselves, the 
belt would shake, and the Oneida must be ready to strike for 
them. He had kept this secret till his death, and now his wife 
wished to take the belt apart for the sake of the wampum. John- 
son readily bought the belt. 

The Onondagas, considering the great age of the Bunt, Sir 
William Johnson's friend, had nominated " Onagogare who is 
to succeed the Bunt at Chenughivata." This seems meant for 
alias Chenughivata, one form of the name of Otschiniata. 
There were other changes. Deputies had come to Onondaga 
from 18 western nations to say they would abide by the decisions 
of the council there. When the Shawnees came there in August, 
they demanded aid in full form. They would not accept a belt 
of peace but demanded a hatchet to strike the English, " which 
so enraged King Bunt that he threw their belt back with great 
resentment." 

Kayashuta, a Seneca chief in Ohio, had been very useful in 
peace measures, and carried a call for a council at. Onondaga in 
November. It opened Nov. 5 with a full attendance, and the 
Shawnee affair was at once taken up, each nation declaring its 
opinion and agreeing to maintain peace. The whole message to 
the Shawnees was vigorous, as an extract will show: 

We have been twice here to advise you to peace, but you have 
not attended, and in compliance with our ancient customs, we are 
come the third time to tell you, you must be at peace, this is 
the third time, & the last that you shall hear from us if you 
do not hearken to us. . . Leave the business of War, repent 
and mind peace alone and then you will be preserved. Quarrel- 
some people are dangerous, we advise you for your good, for we 
pity you. . . Mind our words, they are strong, they are words 
of the Six Nations, who are the heads of the Confederacy; all 
the Northern nations have left their Belts in our hands and 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 345 

refered themselves intirely to our Government and determination, 
they have joined their words to us, who are the head of the 
whole, and you now see them all in us here present. 

The Six Nations were indeed alarmed at the invasion of the 
Shawnees' country by Virginia; and, though the Shawnees 
handled their foes severely, a real defeat and this stern answer 
left them no hope. Happily for all, the war was soon over and 
Was forgotten in the stirring events which followed. 

The great union belt, given them before the last war, and 
which had always lain at the Onondaga council fire, was now 
placed at the western door of the league, among the Senecas. 
Another belt, now given by Colonel Johnson, they would place 
carefully among their great belts at Onondaga, often looking at 
it that they might forget no part. 

In January 1775 the Iroquois chiefs came to Colonel Johnson 
on important business. The Shawnees had sent a message tell- 
ing of their treaty with Virginia, and a statement that- that prov- 
ince intended to quarrel with the Six Nations, on which they 
were invited to a council on the Ohio in the spring. The Onei- 
das also said that the Rev. Mr Kirkland reported that the king 
would allow no more goods to be sent to the colonies or Indians, 
and powder would soon be very high. They did not like this, 
as things were already dear. The Indians would decline the 
invitation to this council, but would call the Shawnees to one in 
New York. 

Just as the conference closed some Shawnees came with a 
second message that seven Senecas were condemned to death 
at Fort Pitt, having lived with the Shawnees and taken their 
part. The Iroquois blamed their conduct, but asked Johnson's 
interposition. He said they were held only as hostages till their 
Scioto friends should lay down their arms. They had been so 
long estranged that the Six Nations need not interest themselves, 
but consider them as wrongdoers. The Seneca chief, Kaya- 
shuta, had applied to the governor of Virginia in their behalf, 
as they were connections of some principal chiefs. Two were 
released and the irons taken from the rest. 



34-6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

There were some religious troubles. The Oneidas com- 
plained of the Congregational minister's refusal to baptize their 
children, and the Oquagas had a similiar complaint.- Their 
minister excused his conduct and said most of the chiefs and all 
the Tuscaroras wished him to remain. Colonel Johnson did not 
want to interfere in religious matters, but said Old Isaac might 
read the service, as he did it well, till they had another minister. 
The Tuscaroras ought not to dictate, as they were newcomers. 

Chapter 23 

Protestant missions. Church of England. Congregationalist. Schools. Fail- 
ures in education. Iroquois loyal to the king. Asked to act for him. Colonel 
Johnson leaves home for Montreal. Council at Oswego. Americans confer 
with Six Nations. Fire-keepers chosen. Brant in England. Indians divided. 
Sir John Johnson leaves home. Iroquois at Philadelphia. Indian aid. Re- 
turn of Brant. Efforts to take him. His personal appearance. Brant's 
movements. Herkimer's interview. Indians hostile. St Leger's expedition. 
Presents. Fort Stanwix besieged. Battle of Oriskany. St Leger's retreat. 
Reported burning of Indian towns. The Susquehanna deserted. 

Before entering on the troubles of the Revolution, a brief 
sketch may be given of the early Protestant missions among 
the Iroquois. 

Dominie Megapolensis began his work at Albany about 1642, 
serving six years irregularly, preaching in the neighborhood and 
making some converts. The Indians were pleased to hear he 
intended going into " their own country and castles (about three 
days' journey farther inland) when acquainted with their lan- 
guage." He befriended Jogues. 

Governor Dongan wished English priests among the Iroquois. 
Dominie Dellius was among the Mohawks before 1691, bap- 
tizing many. The Rev. Bernardus Freeman, of Schenectady, 
reported 35 Mohawk Christians in 1701, and translated into Mo- 
hawk the Athanasian creed, the Ten Commandments and part 
of the prayer book, these being published in New York in 171 5. 

The Church of England now tried to do something and a 
clergyman was proposed for each of the Six Nations, with two 
lay helpers for each one, but this was not fully carried out. 
The Rev. Mr Smith and the Rey ? Tfroroughgood Moor were sent 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 347 

from England, the latter remaining for three years. The Rev. 
Thomas Barclay succeeded him, remaining from 1708 to 1712, 
and was followed by the Rev. William Andrews, staying three 
years more. He reported over 60 regular attendants and 38 
communicants. He had a church and school at Fort Hunter, 
and went also to Oneida, far to the west. The work was dis- 
couraging, and, when he left it in 1718, he said: " Heathen they 
are, and heathen they will still be." 

In 173 1 the Rev. John Miln, of Albany, was to visit the Mo- 
hawks quarterly, staying five days each time. By him the Rev. 
Henry Barclay was appointed catechist at Fort Hunter, who 
reported 58 communicants in 1741. Two years later there were 
few unbaptized. In 1750 the Rev. John Ogilvie went periodically 
to the Mohawks from Albany, " amid great discouragements and 
in the very outskirts of civilization." The Rev. John Jacob Oel 
was his assistant, laboring at Canajoharie and among the Onei- 
das and Tuscaroras. The Rev. Henry Munro also did some work 
among the Mohawks previous to 1770, when the Rev. John Stuart 
became a resident missionary, giving all his time to the work, 
which was interrupted by the war. Before it was over he went 
to Canada. 

The Rev. John Sergeant, a Congregationalist, had founded an 
Indian mission at Stockbridge Mass., in 1736, visiting the Sus- 
quehanna in 1744. The Rev. David Brainerd came to the same 
valley for a short time, and it has been thought that he visited 
Oquaga in 1745. The Rev. Elihu Spencer went there in 1748, 
remaining till the next spring and translating the Lord's Prayer. 
Two of his converts were Peter Agwrondougwas, or Good Peter, 
and Isaac Dakayenensese. The former was an eloquent Oneida 
chief, and both sometimes conducted public services. 

There were 55 students in Timothy Woodbridge's Indian 
school at Stockbridge in 1753, some being from Oquaga. That 
year Gideon Hawley and Woodbridge went to that place, visiting 
Johnson on the way. Woodbridge did not remain long and 
Hawley returned in 1756, on account of the war, a fort being built 
there that year. After his departure Good Peter carried on mis- 



348 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



sion work alone, preaching at Oquaga and elsewhere. The Rev. 
Eli Forbes went there in 1762, with the Rev. Asaph Rice. They 
returned in 1763. In that year Samuel Ashpo spent six weeks 
at Otsiningo. 

In 1761 the Rev. Samson Occum went from the school at 
Lebanon to Oneida, and Samuel Kirkland visited the Mohawk 
valley, being then quite young. His later work in New York 
began in 1764, when he left Joseph Woolley as teacher at Oquaga 
in November and then went to the Senecas, remaining there till 
1766. Among the Oneidas and Mohawks 127 were then attend- 
ing school. After leaving the Senecas, Kirkland for a time 
alternated between Oquaga and the Mohawk valley. At a later 
day his public services were of inestimable value. 

The Rev. Messrs C. J. Smith and Theophilus Chamberlain 
were at Oquaga in the fall of 1764, and in 1769 that place had 
been served for three years by the Rev. Eleazar Moseley, fol- 
lowed by the Rev. Peter and Henry Avery. Aaron Crosby was 
there in 1771, and in 1774 had trouble with the Indians from his 
refusal to use the liturgy or to baptize some children. 

While others testified to a great advance, as there certainly 
had been, the scholarly Dr Wheelock was greatly disappointed 
in the results of the education of Indians. After telling all he 
had taught them, he said : " Some who on account of their parts 
and learning bid the fairest for usefulness, are sunk down as low, 
savage and brutish in manner of living as they were before any 
endeavours were used to raise them up." 

Space will not permit enlarging on the frequent failures in 
Indian education, caused by following theories and disregarding 
the advice of practical men, acquainted with the situation. At 
this time the action of the Oquagas indicates part of the advance 
already made: 

They would in order to restore peace in their town, enter into 
a general resolution to abide by the Liturgy printed in the Indian 
language ; that they had reason to believe the Missionary would 
conform to it, in which case they would let him stay, otherwise 
they would use the Liturgy themselves till a proper person 
could be provided. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 349 

The chiefs now agreed to send through their nations to tell 
them to look to the king as their true protector and shun all evil 
advice. They chose a Mohawk and an Oneida, who would ask 
the Bunt at Onondaga to send two of his family with them. 
Colonel Johnson approved, and sent a " belt with a particular 
message from himself to the Onondaga fire-place." 

He had a council with some Cayuga chiefs and other Iroquois 
Feb. 28. The opening was simple. " The Cayuga chief began 
with the usual salutation of the warriors, who being, as he 
observed, a plain people, would use but few words." He related 
the resolution passed at Onondaga and the refusal of the Cayugas 
to take the western ax. They feared seven Cayugas had joined 
the Shawnees, but they did not, and brought three white strings 
from " the great plains " to remind the Iroquois that they had 
not attended to messages thence. Four short strings of black 
wampum came also " from another warrior from Canundageh, 
on this side of the great plains, on behalf of three nations," 
exhorting them to mind their true interests. This was not the 
Canandaigua of New York, but one in Ohio, the emigrating Iro- 
quois carrying local names with them. The Hurons and their 
eight confederate nations sent peace strings, and were invited to 
the next Iroquois council. 

Just after they left, 32 Indians came from Otsiningo or Che- 
nango, and elsewhere. They were " chiefs of the two tribes at 
Chenango, the Chughnuts, Owego, and Tioga, being five several 
nations." They gave congratulations, but complained of the 
boundary. Producing a map, Johnson showed how the mistake 
came. It affected four villages, but would be considered, and all 
would be satisfied. It was a time of good promises. In July 
King George ordered Colonel Johnson, in consequence of the 
rebellion, " to lose no time in taking such steps as may induce 
the Six Nations to take up the hatchet against His Majesty's 
rebellious subjects in America." 

May 14 Colonel Johnson heard that the Americans were com-, 
ing to arrest him and fortified himself. He said his Indian 
expresses were stopped, messages altered and provisions detained, 



35° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

so he resolved to move westward, starting in June with 250 
Mohawks and armed white men. At Fort Stanwix he had a 
conference with 260 Oneidas and Oquagas, whom he had to 
leave, the whole country being in arms behind him. He sent 
to Niagara and Oswegatchie for supplies, and held another coun- 
cil at Ontario, or Oswego, of which Stone made two places by 
mistaking the names. At that place he had 1458 Indians and 
about 100 white men. With some difficulty he secured the aid 
of the former, and left Oswego for Montreal July 11, reaching 
there July 17 with 220 Indians. Joseph Brant was then his 
secretary. 

There was a council at Montreal July 26, with 1664 Canadian 
Indians, who promised aid and were placed in different camps. 
Little was done, and on Aug. 12 some of the Six Nations and St 
Regis Indians " returned with their War Belt to Onondaga, after 
assuring Col. Johnson they would be ready to return whenever 
there was a prospect of vigorous measures." Desultory hos- 
tilities followed, and a message came from " the Six Natipns 
that the rebells had employ'd Agents to negociate a treaty with 
the Caughnawagas." 

The commissioners of the 12 . united colonies had a brief 
conference with the chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations at 
German Flats, Aug. 15, 1775. Two commissioners came, inviting 
them to meet the other three at Albany, to rekindle the fire their 
ancestors had placed there. As some were not present, they 
were to invite them, and also the Caughnawagas and the seven 
towns on the St Lawrence. This belt was declined, and seems 
the one now belonging to the Douw family at Poughkeepsie. 
After the business was opened, an Oneida answered : " The 
day is far spent, and we defer a reply till to-morrow, as we are 
weary from having sat long in council. We think it time for a 
little drink, and you must remember that the Twelve United 
Colonies are a great body." 

The next day they accepted the invitation for themselves, but 
it would take a year to invite their distant allies. They would 
do the business and then inform them. It was not best to send 



HISTORY OP THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 351 

to the Caughnawagas, as a man there would prevent it, but the 
Six Nations knew their minds and those of the seven tribes. The 
commissioners asked the Indians for neutrality but not for aid. 

The appointed Albany council came off Aug. 23 and was the 
last one held there, but effected little. Colonel Barlow said that 
about 500 Indians came. They were " very likely, spry, lusty 
fellows, drest very nice for Indians. The larger part of them had 
on ruffeled shirts, Indian stockings and shoes, and blankets richly 
trimmed with silver and wampum." On the day of the council 
he said they made " a very beautiful show, being the likeliest 
brightest Indians I ever saw." 

They were received by the commissioners, the Albany com- 
mittee and others, and compliments were exchanged. In reply 
to an invitation Kanaghqueesa said they would cheerfully take 
a drink and smoke a pipe with the gentlemen. A business meeting- 
was appointed for Aug. 25, at the Dutch church. The Indians pro- 
posed to be neutral, stay at home in peace and smoke their pipes. 
When the commissioners addressed them, they had the great pipe 
lighted and sent around. They then made a long speech which 
they wished might remain at Onondaga, and gave them a calumet 
to be kept at the same place. This would be done. The Indians 
said it was customary, when a council fire was kindled, or a tree 
of peace planted, to appoint some one to watch them, who should 
have a wing to keep the hearth clean. The Americans should 
appoint one as they had done, and Philip Schuyler and Volkert 
Douw were chosen. 

In November 1775 Brant and other chiefs went to England 
with Colonel Johnson, and Mar. 14 and May 7, 1776, Brant made 
speeches on land troubles before Lord Germaine. He returned 
in May, reaching Staten Island in July. Oteroughyanento also 
spoke before Lord Germaine. They said, " We are tired out in 
making complaints and getting no redress." This was promised 
when the troubles were over. 

In the attack on St Johns, some New York Mohawks fought 
against the Americans, while the Caughnawagas helped them in 
Canada for a while. The River Indians, or Stockbridges, were 



35 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

friendly, the Oneidas and Mohawks of the lower castle neutral, 
but other Mohawks congregated at Oquaga in a half hostile way. 
In February 1776 Governor Tryon wrote that the Indians north- 
ward and westward, as far as Detroit, were in the king's interest 
and had chosen Peter Johnson as chief. He was the son of Sir 
William Johnson by Molly Brant, his Indian wife ; and captured 
Ethan Allen near Montreal. Through his sister Molly, Joseph 
Brant had much influence. Those who mentioned her incident- 
ally spoke of her as a kind and pleasant woman. 

Sir John Johnson, hearing he was to be arrested though on 
parole, left his home in May 1776, with three Indian guides, 130 
Scotch and 120 other inhabitants, going to Canada by way of 
Oswegatchie. He had fortified his house, and false information 
had been lodged against him. On the first movement occasioned 
by this, it was thought necessary to send a body of troops, and 
a message was sent to the lower Mohawk castle. Little Abra- 
ham and other chiefs met Schuyler at Schenectady and said: 
" We intended to have gone down to Albany in order to speak 
to you; but thank God that He has given us an opportunity to 
meet you here, as we have some matters to communicate to you." 

They were sure the information was false, and warned Schuy- 
ler against anything that might cause trouble. He then pro- 
posed to have Sir John meet him, and this pleased them. They 
met and Sir John gave his parole, but later suspicions and orders 
caused his flight. After that, he was an active partizan. 

Brant soon became the principal Iroquois leader. Mr W. L. 
Stone discussed his birth and hereditary chieftainship, but not 
in a satisfactory way. King Hendrick, he said, was succeeded 
by Little Abraham, and he by Brant. He also said that, while 
no book mentions Brant's presence at the battle of the Cedars in 
May 1776, he had positive evidence of his being there. Brant 
sailed from England that month, reaching New York in July. 
The Mohawks were probably alone in that battle, as four nations 
had then a peace embassy in Philadelphia, where the Onondaga 
speaker gave the name of Karandouan, or Great Tree, to John 
Hancock. But, while Congress advised neutrality,, it really 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 353 

wished Indian aid, and in May resolved that Washington might 
employ 2000 Indians in Canada and elsewhere, with rewards of 
$100 for each officer and $30 for each private captured. It favored 
employing the Six Nations " on the best terms that could be 
procured," and furnished 12 blank commissions for as many 
Indian officers. Washington wished General Schuyler to employ 
them, but he was averse to it. 

In November 1776 Col. Guy Johnson wrote that he had " lately 
dispatched in disguise one of my officers with Joseph, the Indian 
chief, to get across the country to the Six Nations," and hoped 
they would do this undiscovered, so as to prepare " the Indians 
to co-operate with our military movements." Brant reached 
Oquaga and raised the British flag. On this alarm the Campbell 
house was fortified at Cherry Valley, where a company of rangers 
had been sent in the summer. Cherry Valley had asked aid a 
year earlier, when many Mohawks went to Oquaga, " as the 
inhabitants of the Old England District and Unadilla are daily 
flying into our settlement, so that we shall immediately in all 
appearances have an open, defenceless, and unguarded frontier." 

Efforts were made to have the Indians bring in salt from Onon- 
daga in 1777, as the need was great. Mr Stone quoted a speech 
of the Oneida chiefs at Fort Stanwix, Jan. 19, to the effect that 
news had come that the grand council fire at Onondaga was 
extinguished. Death had taken 90 out of that town, among 
whom were three principal chiefs. This was the customary way 
of announcing notable deaths, but it was a mystery to Mr Stone. 

In February 1777, just after he had conditional permission to 
return to Canajoharie, which he did not do, the New York pro- 
vincial council thought it " necessary to provide means for appre- 
hending Joseph Brant." This was modified to negotiations 
between him and Col. John Harper, who reached Oquaga Feb. 
27, with two men. He had soldiers on the Mohawk ready to 
aid him if required, and met the Indians in a friendly way, pro- 
vided a feast, wore the Indian dress and made a speech. They 
said they were still neutral, and he thought they meant to be. A 
little later he heard that Brant intended to settle at Onondaga. 



354 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Messrs Halsey and Ketchum both quote a description of Brant 
in 1782 from Capt. Jeremiah Snyder : 

He was a likely fellow, of a fierce aspect — tall and rather spare 
— well spoken, and apparently about thirty years of age. He 
wore moccasins, elegantly trimmed with beads, leggings and 
breech-cloth of superfine blue, short green coat, with two silver 
epaulets, and a small laced round hat. By his side hung an 
elegant silver mounted cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth, 
purposely dropped in the chair on which he sat, to display his 
epaulets, was gorgeously decorated with a border of red. 

Some time after Harper met a party at Schenevus creek, and 
learned that they meant to destroy the Johnston settlement. 
With 17 men he surprised the party at night, securing all 
unharmed. Over 700 Indians were now at Oquaga under Brant, 
and in May he went up the river with nearly 80 warriors. At 
Unadilla he made the settlers supply him with provisions and 
took some cattle. Those not loyalists soon removed. He burned 
some deserted houses, and other places were abandoned, but the 
Tories sought Unadilla as a refuge and base of operations. 

The people of Harpersfield asked aid; and Gen. Nicholas Her- 
kimer went to Unadilla to confer with Brant, reaching there late 
in June. The conference was unsatisfactory and just escaped 
violence. Herkimer returned to Cherry Valley June 28, and the 
next day Brant put Unadilla in -the hands of the Tories, remain- 
ing near by himself, and committing depredations. He soon 
after went to Oswego with 300 Indians, where many were 
already, to meet the English in council there. Colonel Johnson 
had already reported that the Six Nations had called in all their 
people to make a diversion on the frontier of New York, and had 
made successful attacks on the border from Fort Stanwix to 
Ohio. 

In June he had a letter from the Iroquois chiefs, written for 
them by Brant. They had met in May, as directed, and were 
all ready but the Oneidas. All " would act as one man." They 
had cut off a sergeant and 12 men at Fort Stanwix, had sent 
parties to Pennsylvania, and had defeated a party with 50 head 
of cattle for the American garrisons on the Mohawk. The 700 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 355 

Indians assembled near Oswego would soon strike a blow. 
Colonel Claus had been appointed commander of the Indians in 
Canada, and St Leger was on his way to Oswego, where the Six 
Nations would join him. In July he said the Indians had made 
some successful attacks and were ready to join either St Leger 
or Burgoyne. 

St Leger was joined by Sir John Johnson at Buck island and 
by 150 Mississagas and Iroquois on the way. The Indians 
Colonel Claus knew best were with Burgoyne. When St Leger 
reached Oswego, matters were not in a satisfactory condition, 
and great promises had to be made. Mary Jemison said every 
warrior received a suit of clothes, brass kettle, tomahawk, gun, 
powder and money, and a bounty for scalps was offered. Thus 
richly furnished, she said, the Senecas became " full of the fire 
of war, and anxious to encounter their enemies." They were 
told they might smoke their pipes and see these whipped, but 
instead " they were obliged to fight for their lives, and in the 
battle were completely beaten." 

Claus met Brant at Oswego, his 300 Indians coming next day. 
They had been out two months and were destitute, Butler hav- 
ing given him too little ammunition. When Herkimer visited 
him with 300 men, with 500 more near by, he caused him to 
retire by a firm front, though having but 200 men and 20 pounds 
of powder. Such was his story. 

St Leger intended leaving the lake at Salmon river, but came 
to Oswego, passing through Oneida lake afterward, Three Rivers 
being the Indian rendezvous and place of equipment. The army 
left Oswego July 26, part reaching Fort Stanwix Aug. 2, where 
the siege began next day. St Leger brought no heavy guns, 
intending a surprise, but, instead of 60 men in a stockade, his 
scouts found 600 repairing the old fort, who knew his strength 
and plans. He had time to get more artillery but would not do 
it, and the garrison feared no assault. 

The first definite intelligence of his advance was brought by 
Thomas Spencer, a half-breed Oneida chief. He had been con- 
cealed at a council at Cassasseny (St Regis), where Colonel Claus 



356 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

spoke, begging the Indians to join. He reported 700 Indians 
and 400 regular troops at Oswego, with 600 Tories on an island 
above Oswegatchie, and advised prompt action. Herkimer called 
out the militia, reinforced Fort Stanwix, and commenced repairs. 
The Oneidas were excited, fearing harm from the other Indians. 
Juty 29, Thomas Spencer wrote to the Americans : " To-morrow 
we are going to the Three Rivers to the treaty. We expect to 
meet the warriors there, and when we come and declare we are 
for peace, we expect to be used with indifference and sent away." 

St Leger's force moved in boats and has been estimated at 
1700; but J. W. de Peyster reasonably made it some hundreds 
less. Lieutenant Bird's party went ahead, reaching Three Rivers 
July 28, where 16 Senecas and over 70 Mississagas joined him, 
others following later. He was at the east end of Oneida lake 
July 30, and Brant and his men were sent to his aid. Molly 
Brant gave notice of the advance of Herkimer, whose men met 
at Fort Dayton, leaving there Aug. 4, and encamping near Oris- 
kany on the 5th. Thence an express went forward to arrange 
signals and a sortie. Herkimer waited for the signal ; his officers 
were impatient and charged him with cowardice. Stung by this, 
he gave the fatal order to advance, and fell into an ambuscade 2 
miles west of Oriskany, a spot now marked by a stately monu- 
ment. Spencer had warned him that this might happen, but 
the surprise was complete. The bloody battle was briefly inter- 
rupted by a storm. It was a terrible struggle in every way. 
Brother fought with brother, neighbor against neighbor, hand 
to hand and relentless, neither victorious. The Americans lost 
200 killed, besides the wounded. The Indians alone had 100 
killed, of whom 36 were Senecas. When the Indian survivors 
reached home, the dead were mourned by " the most doleful 
yells, shrieks and howlings, and by inimitable gesticulations." 

Terrible as was this blow to both, neither party as yet gave 
up. The Americans knew the lightness of the English guns and 
refused to surrender; St Leger dared not risk an assault. The 
siege dragged on, and Johnson wished to go down the Mohawk 
with some force, assured that many would join him there, but 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 357 

St Leger would not consent. The Indians began to drop off, 
and the chiefs advised a return to Oswego for heavier guns for 
a renewal of the siege. In the sally from the fort Aug. 6, their 
camp had been plundered, and, having gone into battle almost 
naked, at night they had nothing to cover them, nor could the 
British then repair their loss. The Americans were not without 
anxiety, and Colonel Willett and another officer went for aid 
Aug. 10. General Arnold rapidly advanced, and the siege was 
abandoned Aug. 22, the retreat quickly becoming a flight, the 
Indians themselves adding to the fears of the troops. 

Colonel Claus had a small opinion of St Leger and complained 
of the trouble about Indian supplies he had then and afterward. 
He stayed some time in Oswego and sent thence three good 
officers to live with the Cayugas and Senecas. He thought but 
for his presence at Oswego and Brant's management, the Iro- 
quois would have taken no part at this time. They said they 
were called to a council and not to war. Brant was constantly 
busy with the Six Nations and he thought they would take the 
field. He afterward complained of Carleton's conduct to him and 
the Mohawk refugees in Canada. Carleton proposed giving 
their care to one of Major Campbell's deputies, who was one of 
those whose harsh treatment drove the Indians from Burgoyne's 
army, thus emboldening the Americans. June 24 the New York 
Assembly made a congratulatory address to some Seneca chiefs 
who were returning from Washington's headquarters, and who 
soon became openly hostile. 

Some doubtful stories were current. Colonel Johnson heard 
that, after the battle of Bennington, the Americans burned the 
Mohawk villages, and he hoped to profit by their resentment. 
It was also said that, after the battle of Oriskany, the Six Nations 
burned an Oneida village, destroyed the crops, and killed and 
carried away their cattle. It was added that the Oneidas avenged 
themselves on Brant's family and sister at Canajoharie, robbing 
and driving them away. They then went to the lower Mohawk 
castle and did the same with those whose men were in the king's 
service. The simple truth seems to be that Molly Brant now 



35^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

took refuge at Onondaga or among the Senecas, where she was 
influential. Colonel Claus heard that the Six Nations decreed 
her satisfaction by ordering hostilities on those. Oneidas who had 
driven her away. 

Bands from Oquaga now invaded the Delaware and Scho- 
harie settlements, and the Schoharie people complained of neg- 
lect. The Susquehanna was deserted, except that Harpersfield 
vas a Tory rendezvous and Unadilla full of the worst people 
of the frontier. The year ended with an eloquent appeal made 
by Congress to the Six Nations, exhorting them to peace and re- 
minding them of the consequences of war. It had no effect, for 
no presents appealed to those disposed to be hostile. 

Chapter 24 

Council at Johnstown. Schoharie valley invaded. Wyoming massacre. Sen- 
ecas in Philadelphia. Queen Esther's town destroyed. Brant's depreda- 
tions. Iroquois towns burned on the Unadilla and Susquehanna. Cherry 
Valley destroyed. Onondaga towns burned. Indians burn towns in New 
York. Sullivan's and Brodhead's campaigns against the Cayugas and Sen- 
ecas. Raid in Mohawk valley. Oneidas and Tuscaroras join the English. 
Schoharie valley ravaged. Wawarsing burned. Walter N. Butler defeated 
and killed. Expedition against Oswego. Number of Indians in the Eng- 
lish service. 

Another council met at Johnstown Mar. 9, 1778, with 700 
Indians present. Few Cayugas and no Senecas were there. 
The latter wanted revenge and were surprised they were called 
at all. All but the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were accused of 
treachery, and these warned the Americans not to trust the Onon- 
dagas, but said they would aid them, themselves. An Onon- 
daga chief truly said the sachems were all for peace, but, like 
the whites, could not always restrain the young men. La 
Fayette was there, and procured forts for Schoharie and Cherry 
Valley. The Iroquois gave him the name of Kayewla at this 
time. 

In March 1778 Colonel Johnson explained some matters to 
Lord Germaine. The cruelty of the Indians was misrepresented, 
and the colonists tried to secure their aid in 1775. The toma- 
hawk, so often talked of, was seldom used except for smoking or 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 359 

cutting wood, and they were rarely guilty of any cruelty but 
scalping the dead. The king instructed Braddock to employ 
them, and the colonists had a price for scalps at various times. 

Barent Frey and Brant attacked Cobleskill in May, doing much 
damage, and there was a sharp conflict on the upper branch of 
that stream July 2, between the Indians and Americans, in which 
the latter were defeated. In the summer 300 Indians and Tories 
invaded the Schoharie valley and desolated it, but cavalry from 
Albany put them to flight. A mistake of Brant's saved Cherry 
Valley for a time, but he destroyed Springfield June 18, and then 
some small places near Otsego lake. The country was in con- 
tinual alarm, and in July the Delaware country was raided as 
low as Minisink. 

In the summer occurred the bloody tragedy of Wyoming, 
celebrated in history and song. That fair valley belonged to the 
Iroquois by right of conquest, and they knew it as the Great Plain. 
Its sale and the land disputes between Pennsylvania and Con- 
necticut have been mentioned. Troubles increased when the 
war began, and the banishment of many loyalists augmented 
previous animosity. In April and May these joined in the Indian 
depredations. A greater stroke was planned. In June Colonel 
Butler left Niagara with 300 loyalists and 500 Indians, his force 
swelling on the way till he is said to have had 700 Indians with 
him when he left Tioga, mostly Senecas led by noted chiefs. 
This army fell on Wyoming July 3, defeating the rash sally from 
the fort, desolating the valley and killing about 300 people. The 
horrible stories of Catharine and Esther Montour were doubted 
by Stone, nor is his account of the two families correct. From 
the former Catharine's Town, N. Y., had its name, and Colonel 
Campbell mentioned her and not Esther at Wyoming. The Penn- 
sylvania tradition alone preserves the latter name. She is said 
to have been the daughter of French Margaret, and wife of Echo- 
gohund, king of the Munsey Indians, succeeding to his authority 
on his death and living at Seshequin. A captive, Mrs Whittaker, 
often saw her there, and described her as a woman of fine appear- 
ance and pleasant manners. This was earlier in the war, but the 



36° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

acts ascribed to her are not in harmony with her character. The 
next year's attack on Wyoming by a large force was repulsed, 
but Brant shared in neither of these. 

A Seneca delegation was in Philadelphia at the time of the 
Wyoming invasion, but is said to have left without notice and 
refused to return. This would not be inferred from a letter of 
James Deane to Philip Schuyler, dated at Fort Stanwix, Oct.' 
io, 1778: 

As the Seneca Chief, called the Great Tree, who was the sum- 
mer past with General Washington, returned thro' Oneida, he 
gave our Friends there the most solemn assurances that upon his 
Arrival in his own Country, he would exert his utmost Influence 
to dispose his tribe to peace and Friendship with the United 
States, and that should his Attempts prove unsuccessful, he would 
immediately leave his Nation and join the Oneidas with his 
Friends & Adherents. 

Hearing nothing for a long time, the Oneidas sent to know 
the result. He had tried hard but been unsuccessful. His people 
became excited over rumors of invasion and flew to arms. Then 
he sided with them. A small band of Onondagas had joined 
the hostile warriors, and all would meet on the Chemung. When 
it was found that the Senecas took part at Wyoming, an army 
was sent against the hostile Indians. It marched toward the 
Sandusky towns, but stopped at Tuscarawa and built Fort Lau- 
rens. Col. Thomas Hartley reported operations on the northern 
line of Pennsylvania in September, having reached Tioga Sep. 
26, with 200 men : 

We burnt Town, Hester's Palace or Town, & all the settle- 
ments on this side. . . Mr Carberry with the Horse only, 
was close on Butler, he was in possession of the Town of Shaw- 
nee, 3 Miles up the Cayuga Branch, but as we did not advance, 
he returned. . . Had we had 500 Regular Troops, and 150 
Light Troops, with one or two Pieces of Artillery, we probably 
might have destroyed Chemung, which is now the recepticle of 
all villainous Indians & Tories from the different Tribes and 
states. 

Brant destroyed Andrus-town, southeast of German Flats, July 
18, and was followed as far as Little Lakes, where a Tory settle- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 361 

merit was burned. July 24 a regiment of regulars reached 
Cherry Valley, and some successful parties were sent out. At 
German Flats Brant had been expected all summer and was dis- 
covered in September. The alarm was given, and the people 
took refuge in Forts Dayton and Herkimer, but all outside was 
destroyed. He was followed to the Unadilla by 300 militia, 
but without success. 

Sep. 25 a band of 100 Oneidas and Tuscaroras came to Fort 
Stanwix, saying they had taken the hatchet, burned Unadilla, 
(one of the upper villages) and Butternuts, bringing five pris- 
oners from each place. They now took prisoners and not scalps. 
Col. William Butler was sent to Schoharie in August, with a 
regular regiment and four companies of riflemen. In October 
he destroyed Unadilla, Oquaga, Conihunto, etc. The Oquaga 
Indians had gone on a raid to the Delaware river. 

A little before the destruction of Cherry Valley, Mary Degon- 
wadonti, or Molly Brant, wrote to Captain John, or Chief Dese- 
ronto, from some Iroquois town, apparently a Seneca one: 
"About 500 left here Oct. 23rd, for Karightongegh [Cherry 
Valley]. They said that Karightongegh shall be destroyed. 
Sakayengwaraghdon [Old Smoke, the principal Seneca chief] is 
their leader." 

Walter Butler had escaped from Albany and was burning for 
revenge. The Senecas and others were in arms, and the Indians 
were to meet at Tioga to invade either Pennsylvania or New 
Jersey. He got command of part of his father's rangers, with 
permission to use Brant's Indians, 500 of whom joined his band 
of 200 men. Cherry Valley was attacked Nov. 11, 1778. Colonel 
Alden was killed outside the fort, which was bravely defended, 
but the place was destroyed, 32 of the people and 16 soldiers 
being killed and many made prisoners. Colonel Klock was to 
come with 200 men to protect the place, but arrived a day too 
late and was much blamed. The Indians withdrew Nov. 13. 
Most of the women and children were soon released, but Mrs 
Campbell was taken to the Seneca castle of Kanadesaga, near 
Geneva, where she was adopted and kindly treated. She was 



3^2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

afterwards exchanged, the aged chief, Guyanguahta, being instru- 
mental in this. The Indians celebrated their victory in that 
town. After a council, the warriors danced and sang around a 
fire, each being painted black and white, parading the prisoners 
and giving the scalp yell. The feast ended with the killing, 
roasting and eating of a white dog. 

Some personal feelings influenced this attack. A month after- 
ward four chiefs said to Colonel Cantine •: " Your rebels came to 
Oghwaga when we Indians were gone, and you burned our 
houses, which made us and our brothers, the Seneca Indians, 
angry, so that we destroyed men, women, and children at Cherry 
Valley." 

In January 1779 Colonel Van Dyck, at Fort Stanwix, had word 
from the Oneidas that Brant meant to strike a blow before 
spring. They had word from him and the Quinquoga (Cayuga) 
Indians to join him. They considered their answer Jan. 16, and 
would adhere to the Americans. Some principal Onondaga 
chiefs, then on their way to Fort Stanwix, were invited to their 
council and approved of their answer. The Onondagas had 
been asked by the western nations to extinguish the council fire, 
but would not do so, hoping for reconciliation yet. They prom- 
ised to insist that all in their nation should declare for one side 
or the other when they got home. In this the Oneidas fully 
trusted and were in high spirits. 

Two Oneidas returned from Niagara Feb. 26, with reports of 
Brant's intentions. The Delawares and Shawnees were to strike 
the Virginia frontier, and he was to lead the main expedition to 
the Mohawk, while another was to go to Schoharie by Unadilla. 
The 14 Onondaga chiefs, who went to Niagara to bring their 
people back, had not been allowed to return. Brant did not come. 

For some reason the Onondagas were thought treacherous, 
and a secret expedition was planned against a people nominally 
at peace. A party of 558 men was sent in 30 boats, apparently 
to Oswego, really to Onondaga. They left Fort Stanwix Ap. 
17, landing at Fort Brewerton at 3 p. m. Ap. 20. That night 
they camped without fires. Next morning they marched early, 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 363 

fording an arm of Onondaga lake, both wide and deep. An 
Indian was captured at Onondaga creek, and the surprise of the 
three towns was complete, 12 Indians being killed, 32 captured 
and much plunder taken. By Ap. 24 all were in Fort Stanwix 
again, with much spoil and little glory. 

The Oneidas at once sent to know the reason of these harsh 
measures, and the Onondagas made a manly statement of their 
hard case and severe usage. Their chiefs had probably done the 
best they could. Colonel Van Schaick said he had followed 
orders, and added that " the Onondagas have been great mur- 
derers ; we have found the scalps of our brethren at their castle." 
At a later day their treatment has seemed unwise and unjust. 
It turned most of them into open foes, though Maj. Jeremiah 
Fogg said the following September that some Onondagas were 
still friendly. In fact, Iroquois history is full of a forgiving 
spirit, usually preferring atonement to revenge, but, when chosen, 
revenge was terrible. 

About this time attacks were made at Stone Arabia, Fort 
Plain and Schoharie, with slight damage. In April 40 Indians 
attacked and burned Lackawaxen in the Delaware valley. 
Whatever the Onondagas may have done before, most of them 
were now hostile, and 300 attacked Cobleskill and drew some 
troops into an ambush, where 22 were killed. Brant destroyed 
Minisink, July 20, carrying off much spoil. Being hotly and 
rashly pursued, his enemies were defeated with heavy loss. 
Thence he made a brief raid on the Mohawk, before going to 
Tioga. Indian hostilities were incessant farther south. 

General Haldimand had a conference at Quebec Aug. 20, with 
Teyohagweanda, a principal Onondaga chief, and three Cayugas. 
They asked why Oswego was not occupied, as they had long 
wished. He explained, adding that they need not fear the 
Americans would attack their country. They only cared .to 
secure their frontiers, but he would advise the seven nations of 
Canada to join the Six Nations against them. 

There was reason for their fears, for Sullivan was even then 
on his desolating march. General Clinton received his orders 



3^4 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

June 2, arriving at Canajoharie June 16, where were 1500 men. 
Thence 220 boats were taken to Otsego lake, the water of which 
was raised by a dam. This being opened, the fleet went swiftly 
down the swollen stream. The sudden and mysterious flood 
alarmed the Indians much. The itinerary is briefly this: left 
Otsego lake Aug. 9 ; destroyed Aleout, a Scotch settlement, Aug. 
12, and passed Unadilla, burned in 1778. Aug. 13, passed Coni- 
hunto or Gunnygunter, 14 miles below Unadilla and burned in 
1778. Aug. 14, reached Onoquaga, where Butler burned 60 good 
houses, church and fort in 1778. Aug. 17, burned houses at the 
Tuscarora village 3 miles below, the Tuscarora town of Shawhi- 
angto a mile farther, and Ingaren, another Tuscarora village near 
Great Bend. Aug. 18, Otsiningo was found already burned, but 
some houses were set on fire below the Chenango river. Other 
houses were burned next day, and a detachment from Sullivan 
was met at Union, which had burned a village there and at 
Choconut. In the evening Owego was burned. Aug. 22 Clinton 
joined Sullivan at Tioga, a place burned in 1778. Old Chemung 
had been long abandoned, and New Chemung was burned 
Aug. 13, while Sullivan waited for Clinton. 

The march was resumed Aug. 26, and Old Chemung reached 
next day. Another village was destroyed on the 28th, and the 
enemy was found well fortified at Newtown, below Elmira. The 
battle was well contested next day, but the Americans routed their 
foes by a flank movement, afterward destroying the town and 
growing corn. The British reported their force as 550 Indians 
and 250 troops, and said Colonel Butler was surrounded and 
nearly taken. Brant was one of the leaders, and a letter of his 
just before is of interest. It was dated at Chemung, Aug. 19 : 

I am deeply afflicted. John Tayojaronsere, my trusty chief, 
is dead. He died eight days after he was wounded. Five met 
the same fate. I am very much troubled by the event, because 
he was of so much assistance to me. I destroyed Onawatoge a 
few days afterward. We were overtaken and I was wounded in 
the foot with buck shot, but it is of small consequence. I am 
almost well. We are in daily expectation of a battle which we 
think will be a severe one. We expect to number about 700 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 365 

men. . . Then we shall begin to know what is to become of 
the People of the Long House. Our minds have not changed. 
We are determined to fight the Bostonians. 

Aug. 31 the army was put in light marching order and Middle- 
town, Kannawaloholla and scattered houses were burned, as well 
as a village at Big Flats. Sep. 1, Catharine's Town, or Sheo- 
quaga, was reached 3 miles from Seneca lake, and it was 
destroyed Sep. 3. Another small place was burned next day and 
Kendaia on the 6th. The latter had 20 houses and some curious 
tombs. The day before a Cayuga hamlet was burned. 

Sep. 7, the Seneca castle of Kanadesaga was reached, V/2 miles 
northwest of Seneca lake. It had 60 good houses and an old 
stockade. Next day 20 houses were burned at Kashong or Goth- 
sinquean, a few miles south, and Skoiyase, or Long Falls, was also 
destroyed, where Waterloo now stands. This had 18 houses. 
Sep. 10 about 30 fine houses were burned at Canandaigua. Next 
day Anyayea, or Honeoye, was reached and its 10 houses spared 
for present use. The name meant Finger Lying, an Indian hav- 
ing lost a finger there. 

Sep. 13 they reached Adjuste, or Kanaghsaws, now Conesus, 
the home of Big Tree. Its 25 houses were burned and eight more 
at Little Castle. At night the army reached Gaghsegwarohare 
with 22 houses. That day Lieutenant Boyd was captured, with 
another man, 13 of his party being found dead, with Han Yost, 
his Oneida guide. The brother of the latter, after his capture, 
told him he was worthy of death, but he left it to Little Beard 
to slay him. Boyd and his companion were terribly tortured in 
the Seneca capital. 

Chenussio, or Geneseo, was reached Sep. 14. It was west of 
the river and had 128 fine houses, all of which were destroyed, 
with about 15,000 bushels of corn. The remains of Boyd and 
Parker were found there and buried with military honors. 
Thence the return march began. Honeoye was destroyed, and 
at Kanadesaga parties were detached, one for Albany and two 
against the Cayuga towns. Colonel Butler retired to Kana- 
waugus, which was not taken. 



366 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Sep. 21 Lieut. Col. Henry Dearborn marched to the west side 
of Cayuga lake, destroying a hamlet of three houses, but leaving 
another of 15 houses, which was out of the way. One of 10 
houses was burned near the lake, and Skannayutenate and another 
hamlet near the present Canoga. A new town of nine houses 
was burned farther south. , Sep. 22 they came to Swahyawanah, 
a village burned before, and destroyed three remaining houses. 
Scattered houses were burned and crops destroyed from day to 
day. Sep. 24 a dozen houses were burned at the head of Cayuga 
lake, and 25 houses were destroyed at Coreorgonel or Dehoris- 
kanadia, 3 miles south. Sep. 26 Dearborn joined the army at 
Kannawaloholla. 

Sep. 20 Lieut. Col. William Butler set out with 500 men, com- 
pleting the destruction of Skoiyase next day. Near the outlet of 
Cayuga lake he burned Choharo or Thiohero, reaching the vil- 
lage of Gewauga at night, near Union Springs. Sep. 22 Cayuga 
Castle was destroyed, with 15 houses of squared logs, Upper 
Cayuga, with 14 large houses, and East Cayuga, with 13 houses, 
the destruction of houses and crops lasting till the next afternoon. 
Sep. 23, Chonodote, or Peach Town, on the site of Aurora, was 
reached at night, and its 14 large houses, crops and peachtrees 
were destroyed next day. Sep. 28 the army was joined. It should 
be remembered that Iroquois houses held several families. 

The main body had returned to Kannawaloholla, now Elmira, 
killing a number of horses on the way, whence we have the name 
of Horseheads. Resting at Fort Reed awhile, successful parties 
were sent up the Chemung and Tioga. Sep. 30 the army reached 
Fort Sullivan at Tioga, having burned 40 villages and destroyed 
200,000 bushels of corn, besides fruit trees. While there, Oct. 2, 
an entertainment was concluded with an Indian dance. Next 
day, said Lieut. Col. Adam Hubley, 

The young Sachem, with several Oneida Indians, relatives and 
friends of the unfortunate Indian Hanjost, who bravely fell with 
the party under command of the much lamented Lieut. Boyd on 
the 13th ult., who faithfully acted as guide to the army, left us 
this day, well pleased, (after bestowing some presents on them,) 
for their native place, the Oneida country. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 367 

Colonel Gansevoort was sent to Fort Stanwix with ioo men. 
Under orders, he went thence to the lower Mohawk castle and 
made all prisoners there. These " Indians lived much better 
than most of the Mohawk River farmers." General Schuyler 
remonstrated, because of their peaceable disposition and the 
pledged public faith. They were soon released. This party 
camped at Skoiyase the first night, and the next at Owasco lake, 
passing Skaneateles lake and reaching the deserted Onondaga 
village the following evening. The next camp was 6 miles east 
of Canaseraga, and Fort Stanwix was reached Sep. 24. 

Aug. 11 Colonel Brodhead left Pittsburg against the Senecas 
and Mingoes on the Allegheny river. A skirmish took place 
before he reached Cannowago, which had been long deserted. 
Other Indian towns were abandoned as he advanced and were 
burned. The upper Seneca town Yoghroonwago was destroyed 
with others. In this march of 400 miles not a man was lost, and 
135 large cabins were burned, each holding several families. 
There were indications that all these Senecas were preparing to 
remove. The Iroquois were in great distress through the winter, 
many dying from pestilence. Other nations were awed and 
began to treat for peace. 

Except in the loss of life, for Sullivan's morning and evening 
guns kept the Indians at a safe distance, these expeditions differed 
in no respect from the Indian raids on the frontier, and gave to 
Washington and his successors the name of Ha-no-da-ga'-nears, 
Destroyer of Towns, one name of some French governors. Corn- 
planter spoke of this in his pathetic speech to Washington in 
1790: 

When your army entered the country of the Six Nations we 
called you the Town Destroyer ; and to this day, when that name 
is heard, our women look behind them and turn pale, and our 
children cling close to the necks of their mothers. Our coun- 
cilors and warriors are men, and can not be afraid ; but their 
hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, 
and desire that it may be buried so deep as to be heard no more. 
When you gave us peace, we called you father, because you 



3^8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

promised to secure us in the possession of our lands. Do this, 
and so long as the lands shall remain, that beloved name will 
live in the heart of every Seneca. 

Oct. 10 Col. Guy and Sir John Johnson left Sodus bay for 
Oswego with a considerable force, accompanied by Brant and 
his Indians. The Canadian Indians refused to go against the 
Oneidas or Fort Stanwix, and all went into winter quarters, 
Colonel Johnson returning to Niagara, where 2628 Indians 
remained in October, and about 1000 white refugees. There 
were 5036 there Sep. 21, to be fed, but parties went out on raids. 
Johnson said these Indians " will no longer wear tinsel lace, and 
are become good judges of gold and silver." 

A party attacked German Flats in February 1780, and in March 
another did some damage at Palatine. In April Brant surprised 
and burned Harpersfield, but treated the prisoners well. Colonel 
Harper gave him false information about Schoharie, which 
deterred him from raiding that region, but part of his men entered 
Ulster county, taking some prisoners, who afterward killed their 
captors and escaped. 

In May Sir John Johnson entered the Mohawk valley with 500 
men, few of whom were Indians, coming by way of Lake Cham- 
plain and reaching Johnstown May 21. There his force divided, 
one party going to Tribes Hill and Cayadutta creek, doing much 
damage. Butler and Brant were also busy on the south side of 
the river. In June all the Canaseraga Tuscaroras went over to 
the enemy, and " two families of the Oneidas, with all the Onon- 
dagas who had joined us since the capture of their village." 
Other Oneidas followed, but most remained. Col. Guy Johnson 
said that 500 Oneidas came that year, ready to fight the Ameri- 
cans. " The last party that arrived delivered up to the Superin- 
tendent a commission which, he says, ■ the Rebels had issued 
with a view to form the Oneidas into a corps. . . they also 
delivered up to me the Rebel flag.' " 

Schonendoh and Peter were then prisoners at Niagara, but a 
family who returned in December said that Brant, Schonendoh 
and Peter persuaded them to go. This would seem to be Sken- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 369 

andoah, who Abraham Denne told Schoolcraft " was a tory in the 
war, notwithstanding his high name." In 1777 he was one of 
four mentioned who refused to go to Niagara and has been con- 
sidered an American partizan. The testimony to this seems com- 
plete and unanswerable. The Oneidas, being threatened, now 
asked a refuge for their families among the whites, and they were 
placed near Schenectady till the end of the war. 

In July Brant, with 600 Indians and 200 white men, cut off 
communication between Fort Stanwix and German Flats, cap- 
turing 53 men. That month Colonel Johnson reported that 330 
Oneidas had joined him, 100 being men, and 70 had been con- 
tinually with his war parties. He was told that those with the 
Americans would soon follow. In June the Indians had killed 
or captured 156 persons and destroyed much property, and all 
had " been effected without acts of cruelty." The Six Nations 
numbered 1600 men, exclusive of those southward. Of these, 
1200 were warriors, and 836 were then in service. The next year 
he said they had distinguished themselves more than usual, and 
there were generally 500 in the field. 

Aug. 2 Brant attacked Canajoharie with 450 Indians, burning 
most of the houses, killing 14 persons, and taking 50 prisoners 
there, as well as several hundred head of cattle. The militia were 
up the river, guarding boats. In all he killed 24 and took 73 
persons. That month General Schuyler sent five Caughnawagas 
and 13 Oneidas and Tuscaroras to visit the French in Rhode 
Island. They were well received and were given French medals. 

Sir John Johnson invaded Schoharie valley in September. He 
and Brant were joined at Unadilla by Cornplanter and the Sen- 
ecas, the united force being about 1500 men. They attacked the 
Middleburg fort, but failed to take it. Going thence, they ravaged 
the Schoharie valley and both sides of the Mohawk. At Stone 
Arabia Colonel Brown was killed with 40 Americans. General 
Van Rensselaer pursued, attacked and defeated Sir John at 
Klock's Field, but he escaped in the night. One incident of his 
retreat was the capture of Captain Vrooman's party at the 
old stockade at Canaseraga, now Chittenango creek. They had 



37° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

destroyed some of his boats there, near what was known as the 
turtle tree. 

Brant's Indians were about German Flats in January 1781, 
and all through the spring it was the same, there being depreda- 
tions at Minisink, Currietown, Cherry Valley and elsewhere. In 
that year Col. Marinus Willett took command and changed the 
situation. Brant had intended to attack the Oneidas in their 
new quarters in March, but did not do so. On the contrary, in 
July Colonel Willett attacked and defeated an Indian force under 
Ouackack, killing 40. In August there was an Indian raid in 
Ulster county, and Wawarsing was burned. Cobleskill was also 
attacked, but in October Willett drove the enemy from the valley. 

Brant and Major Ross did some damage south of the Mohawk 
that month, and Majors Ross and Butler came to Johnstown 
Oct. 24, by way of Oswego and Oneida lake. Colonel Willett 
reached Fort Hunter -the next morning, going in pursuit as soon 
as he could cross the river. A battle followed, continuing till 
dark, with varying fortune, when Butler retreated. Willett was 
joined by 60 Oneidas and started up West Canada creek in hot 
pursuit. A running fight followed, and Walter Butler was killed 
by an Oneida, his forces were defeated and many prisoners were 
made. Some escaped into the wilderness, destitute of provisions. 
A party sent to Oneida lake to destroy Butler's boats, failed of 
doing this, but they were not wanted. 

The British at Detroit were not favorable to the neighboring 
Moravian Indian towns, and in 1781 applied to the Six Nations 
at Niagara for their removal. They sent word to the Ottawas 
and Ojibwas: " We make you a present of the Christian Indians 
to make soup of ; " but neither they nor the Wyandots would 
interfere. Not long after many of them were treacherously 
destroyed. 

In 1782 a party of 35 Indians took some prisoners at Palatine, 
carrying them to Canada, but they were soon released, war being 
practically ended on the Mohawk river. 

In February 1783 Colonel Willett made an attempt to capture 
Oswego, sending a party from Canajoharie in sleighs. They 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 371 

crossed Oneida lake on the ice, but the Indian guides lost their 
way and the attempt failed. 

Captain Dalton made an estimate in August of that year of the 
number of Indians employed on the British side in the war. Of 
the New York Iroquois there were 300 Mohawks, 150 Oneidas, 
200 Tuscaroras, 200 Onondagas, 230 Cayugas and 400 Senecas, 
or 1480 in all. While some of these estimates are high, that of 
the Senecas is too low. 

Chapter 25 

Peace proclaimed. Mohawks remain in Canada. Treaty of Fort Stanwix. 
Pennsylvania commissioners. Brant in England. Frontier posts retained. 
Western councils. Brant and Delawares. Seneca chiefs in Philadelphia. 
Colonel Proctor in the Seneca towns. Pickering's council. St Clair's de- 
feat. Iroquois chiefs at Philadelphia. Council at Au Glaize. Council at 
Buffalo creek. Governor Simcoe. Wajme's victory. Indians make peace. 
Land treaty with the United States. Later treaties with New York com- 
panies or persons. Delaware Indians made men. Ganeodiyo, the peace 
prophet. Temperance reform and organizations. Red Jacket. Farmer's 
Brother. Six Nations declare war against Great Britain. Council at Onon- 
daga. Captain Pollard leader at Chippewa. 

Peace was proclaimed in 1783, but Great Britain made no terms 
for her Indian allies, nor were they secured in their lands included 
in the boundaries of the United States. The Mohawks had been 
promised better treatment. They remained awhile on the Ameri- 
can side at Niagara, and the Senecas offered them land in the 
Genesee valley, but they did not wish to remain in New York. 
Governor Haldimand agreed to purchase and convey to them a 
tract on the Bay of Quinte, selected by Brant. The Senecas 
wanted them nearer, and Haldimand was asked to secure them a 
tract of 1200 square miles, extending 6 miles on each side of 
Grand river. This was promised and the grant was formally 
made in 1784. Brant and some Mohawks moved there ; and, 
though much has been sold, portions of all the Six Nations still 
live there under their old laws and with a full corps of chiefs. 

A disposition was shown at the end of the war to expel the 
New York Iroquois ; but Washington and Schuyler at once 
opposed this, and their desire for a more liberal policy happily 
prevailed. The treaty of Fort Stanwix was held in 1784, all the 



372 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Six Nations being represented and the Seneca Abeals or Corn- 
planter's party. The brief treaty, as signed, has alone been pre- 
served. The hatchet was buried by all. The Oneidas and Tus- 
caroras were secured in the possession of their lands, the former 
making large claims. The Six Nations unwillingly gave up most 
of the territory not occupied by them. It was gained and lost 
by the sword. 

Cornplanter brought about this treaty, with which the Indians 
were dissatisfied, and Red Jacket took advantage of this to 
increase his own popularity. Brant was also displeased and gave 
up a proposed visit to England to attend to the matter, not liking 
the detention of a Mohawk chief sent by him. The American 
commissioners were Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler and Arthur 
Lee. Some Pennsylvania commissioners were also at this 
treaty, on state affairs, and found the usual delays. At last four 
of the Iroquois nations began the council ; but " the Business, 
in our Opinion, would not have commenced so soon had it not 
been at the instance of the Marquis De la Fayette, who wished 
to address the Indians, and was under the necessity of departing 
this day or to-morrow." He was very plain spoken. " Their 
Answer was pertinent, and breathed the spirit of peace. The 
Mohawks, in particular, declared their repentance for the Errors 
which they had committed." These commissioners were suc- 
cessful in their business, and at successive treaties all the 
Indian lands in Pennsylvania were purchased except Cornplant- 
er's reservation. 

Brant soon after visited the western Indians, probably with a 
view to a confederacy, and then went to England in 1785. The 
London papers said he had presided at a great council of many 
nations, and had been appointed to conduct a proposed war 
against the United States. He secured payment of Mohawk 
claims from the British government the next year, and edited a 
superb edition of the Mohawk prayer book. Another had been 
issued in Canada during the war. 

The British still retained the frontier posts and encouraged the 
hostility of the Indians. In December 1786 a great Indian coun- 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 373 

cil was held on Detroit river, at which the western Indians and 
Six Nations were represented. An address sent to Congress may 
have been written by Brant, encouraged by Sir John Johnson. 
At the head of this were the signatures of the Six Nations. The 
British now strengthened the forts, and the Indians became more 
hostile to the Americans. 

In January 1788 the Hurons sent the Six Nations word that 
they had no answer from the United States, and wished them to 
attend the next general ■ council, as promised. This met in 
October, when Brant's views were more pacific, as the Mohawks 
alone might adhere to the British side. In July he had also made 
a bargain with the " Lessee Company," leasing lands in western 
New York, and prospective profit cooled his military ardor. 
This long lease was afterward abrogated by New York as illegal. 

In January 1789 General St Clair made separate treaties with 
some of the western Indians, which destroyed the plan of a great 
confederacy. One took in all the Iroquois but the Mohawks, 
and another, six other nations. In his journal of Feb. 4, 1789, 
David Zeisberger said : 

Brant had for some years secretly labored to extirpate the 
Delawares, and on this account had urged the Chippewas, Tawas, 
etc., to begin war with them. This plan, secretly formed, became 
manifest last summer, and at the same time found its end, for 
it came to nought. He then worked for this, that the nations 
should begin war afresh with the States, with the hope that in 
this the Delawares would be extirpated. 

He also opposed the Moravian Indians, saying, " it were better 
they were blotted from the surface of the earth ; they caused only 
unrest among the other Indians." Afterward he favored them. 
In 1790 the Senecas aided the western tribes who defeated 
General Harmar, but these were personal acts. 

The Seneca chiefs, Cornplanter, Half Town and Great Tree, 
were with Washington in Philadelphia in December 1790, stay- 
ing several weeks. Great Tree may have remembered their 
unceremonious departure in 1778, when they said at this time : 

Father: No Seneca ever goes from the fire of his friend, until 
he has said to him, " I am going." We therefore tell you that 
we are now setting out for our own country. 



374 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Father: We thank you from our hearts that we now know 
that there is a country we may call our own, and on which we 
may lay down in peace. We see that there will be peace between 
your children and our children, and our hearts are very glad. 

Two years later Great Tree died in Philadelphia. Col. Thomas 
Proctor was at Buffalo Ap. 27 to May 23, 1791, but with little 
success. His journal is full of interesting details and he visited 
several Indian towns. Beside those at Buffalo creek, he men- 
tioned Squawkie Hill, Nondas, Canaseder, Ohhishew or Dune- 
wangua, Tenachshagouchtongu or Burnt House, Cayantha or 
Cornfields, Venango, Cattaragus, Carrahadeer, Hiskhue and 
Coneyat. These Seneca towns are as spelled by him. About 
Buffalo were more than 170 well built cabins, and the Onondagas 
had a village there. The Indians there were under British con- 
trol, well clothed and fed. The chiefs refused to send deputies 
with him to the Miamis, but the women interfered, Red Jacket 
speaking for them, and delegates were appointed. The refusal 
of a vessel by the British forced Proctor to abandon the trip, and 
he found that Young King and Farmer's Brother were both on 
the British side, as most of the Indians were. 

Col. Timothy Pickering held a successful council at Klmira 
N. Y., in June 1791. It was appointed for Painted Post, where 
an earlier council had been held, but Newtown, now Elmira, was 
more accessible for boats. There were 200 Onondaga and Oneida 
warriors present, with 682 Senecas, and it was agreed to send 
chiefs to Philadelphia the next year. 

St Clair's defeat happened that year, and Stone supposed that 
Brant was there with 150 Mohawks. It is not improbable, for he 
was at a western war council that year and spoke in behalf of the 
Moravian Indians : " Why should we wish to compel them to go 
to war? . . . Let them be, and disturb them not." This 
victory greatly elated the young Indian warriors, and Zeisberger 
wrote, Sep. 28 : " Warriors came here, going to the war. We 
heard that all Cornplanter's young people had left him and gone 
to the Miami to take part in the war." He was but a war chief. 

In this year we have again a glimpse of the female part of the 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 375 

Montour family, but without a hint of the traditional Queen 
Esther. The male members often appear. Zeisberger wrote at 
the Moravian towns Jan. 4, 1791 : 

A Mohawk Indian woman, Mary Montour, sister of Cathrine, 
and of the former Andrew Montour, who came here not long 
ago, upon her request and desire, got leave to be a dweller here. 
She knows how to speak many languages, for example, Mohawk, 
her mother tongue, Wyandot, Ottawa, Chippewa, Shawano, Dela- 
ware, English and French. Her sister, Cathrine, and several of 
her friends, live not far from Niagara over the lake, and we have 
already many times heard that she would like to be here, for 
John Cook, her son, is here. 

The Rev. Samuel Kirkland was sent to the Genesee country to 
conduct 50 chiefs to Philadelphia, which they reached Mar. 13, 
1792. The large silver medals given them that year are well 
known, and the meeting was mutually satisfactory. Brant was 
not there till after the council, arriving June 20. He refused some 
fine offers, but undertook a peace embassy to the Miami coun- 
try. Being sick, he sent the messages by his son, intending to 
follow soon. As he passed through the Moravian towns, Sep. 
29, he said, " if he came to the Miami and found the Indians 
disinclined for peace, he should straightway turn back home." 
When he returned in November, he said nothing was concluded, 
but there would be a council at Sandusky in the spring. 

Cornplanter and 48 other Iroquois also attended this council 
at Au Glaize on the Miami, and there were 30 Iroquois chiefs 
from Canada. The peace embassy was not well received by 
the western Indians, but harmony was restored, and it was agreed 
to meet the United States in council at the rapids of the Miami 
the next spring. They would be peaceable till then if the troops 
were withdrawn from the western side of the Ohio, but did send 
out 300 warriors. On the return of the New York chiefs, a grand 
council of the Six Nations was held at Buffalo, the acts of the 
western council were related, and a speech was sent to the 
president. 

Hostilities were frequent along the frontier through the win- 
ter, and the western Indians held a preliminary council in Feb- 



376 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

ruary 1793, sending a very explicit message to the Six Nations, 
to be forwarded to President Washington. They insisted on the 
Ohio as a boundary, and would hold another private council 
before the public meeting. When the latter took place, the 
Indians were divided, most wishing peace. The minority got in 
a deceptive message, and the others determined that those who 
wished war might fight it out alone. Peace measures failing, 
the United States commissioners at once returned without reach- 
ing the council. 

On this occasion some Onondaga friends of Zeisberger told 
him that " they no longer live in Onondaga, where there are now 
only twelve or thirteen families, but over the lake at Buffalo 
creek." They said they had been betrayed at this council. 
Brant was there with many Mohawks. In fact the commission- 
ers never were at the council, the British officers at Detroit refus- 
ing to let them go till they were sent for, but otherwise treating 
them courteously. They left Philadelphia Feb. 27, 1793, were 
detained at Niagara for several weeks, where a conference was 
held, and the Indians sent their reply Aug. 13, without per- 
mitting them to appear. All present signed the reply except the 
Six Nations, but the Senecas of the Glaize signed with the totem 
of the Turtle. Brant was surprised to find the British opposing 
articles of peace. 

On the return of the chiefs a council was held at the Onon- 
daga village on Buffalo creek, Oct. 8, to which both English and 
Americans were invited. Clear Sky, an Onondaga chief, opened 
the council, and all the belts were produced and speeches 
rehearsed. On the next day Brant was present and spoke, say- 
ing that land claims " always have been, and still continue to be, 
the cause of war." He made a proposition which he thought 
might secure peace, and it was " the general wish of the Six 
Nations that General Chapin, himself, will proceed with the 
speech to Congress." This he did, and another council was pro- 
posed at Venango in the spring. This was reported at a council 
held at Buffalo creek Feb. 7, 1794, but was not acceptable, as a 
direct answer on the boundary line was desired. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 377 

Governor Simcoe kept hostile feelings alive, and in April 1794 
he went from Detroit to the foot of the Maumee rapids and began 
building a fort on American territory. The western Indians 
said he supplied them with all things red, and would aid them 
with 1500 men. A Spanish agent also came to stir them up and 
offer aid. The Americans prepared for war, and some things 
happened to alienate the Six Nations from them. Cornplanter 
and others had sold Presque Isle to Pennsylvania, and it prepared 
to take possession contrary to their wish, as they claimed that 
the sale was irregular. General Gibson wrote to Governor Mif- 
flin June 11, 1794, "From every account, I have every reason to 
believe the Six Nations mean to be hostile." Cornplanter thought 
war certain, and bragged of what he would do against the Ameri- 
cans, but Washington wished to avoid trouble and proposed a 
council. June 27 General Wilkins said of the Six Nations : 

Our peace or war with them depends on our being in peace or 
war with the English. The Senecas, who are the best dispqsed 
of any of the Six Nation tribes, say that the English have bought 
over all the other tribes, but that they are determined to be 
neutral; but if there is an English war, their neutrality is not 
to be depended on. 

Wayne's victory turned the scale, and Washington's prudent 
measures averted local trouble. In Wayne the Indians found a 
sleepless foe, wise and watchful. Their attempt to capture one 
of his trains, June 30, was defeated, and he marched on. July 
20, 1794, he completely routed them at Maumee rapids, pursuing 
the enemy and destroying everything of theirs under the walls 
of the British fort. It was at this time that the Indians revived 
the name of Long Knives for the Americans. In contemporane- 
ous accounts these rapids are always called those of the Miami. 

Brant was not there, but he and many Mohawks went west- 
ward in September. He then " said he went to the war unwill- 
ingly, but he was compelled, and must go, for war was contrived 
merely for this, to exterminate the Indians." Some Senecas and 
Onondagas were there. Oheknugh, an Onondaga chief, was 
slain, but Oundiaga and some of his warriors escaped. 



37^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Peace was not made at once, Brant and Governor Simcoe 
opposing it, but the Indians at last grew weary and made peace 
with Wayne on his own terms. In 1795 the difficulties between 
the United States and Great Britain were settled, and the latter 
no longer aided the Indians. 

About the end of the century, before and after, there were 
many Iroquois land sales in New York, all described in The 
Indian Problem of 1889. That of 1784 was a treaty with the 
United States, in which a boundary line was drawn : 

From the mouth of a creek about four miles east of Niagara, 
called Oyonw r ayea, or Johnston's landing place, upon the lake 
named by the Indians Oswego, and by us Ontario ; from thence 
southerly in a direction always four miles east of the carrying 
path between Lakes Erie and Ontario, to the mouth of Teho- 
seroron, or Buffalo creek, on Lake Erie; thence south to the 
north boundary of the State of Pennsylvania ; thence west to 
the end of the said north boundary ; thence south along the west 
boundary of the said State to the river Ohio ; the said line from 
the mouth of the Oyonwayea to the Ohio shall be the western 
boundary of the lands of the Six Nations. 

This outside territory had been gained by conquest and was 
practically lost by war. The lands west of this line were sur- 
rendered to the United States and those east and north were 
reserved for the Six Nations, except 6 miles square about the 
fort at Oswego. This was reaffirmed at the treaty of Fort Har- 
mar, June 5, 1789, but the Mohawks were left out and the Onei- 
das and Tuscaroras were confirmed in their land titles. Crim- 
inal offenses would be punished by state law, but much was left 
to the Indians themselves. In Judge Marshall's words they were 
interior dependent nations. 

The treaty of Jan. 21, 1795, acknowledged the Oneida, Onon- 
daga, and Cayuga reservations and specified the Seneca boun- 
daries, besides securing a right of passage. A special treaty was 
made at the same time with the Oneida, Tuscarora and Stock- 
bridge Indians, recompensing them for losses in the war, pro- 
viding mills, and " $1000, to be applied in building a convenient 
church at Oneida, in the place of the one which was burnt by the 
enemy in the late war." 






HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 379 

The Seneca treaties with New York, the United States, and 
private companies are too numerous to describe and are compli- 
cated by the Ogden claims. The Oneidas' sales have also been 
many, disposing of all their land except that of a few private 
persons. They now have a large tract in Wisconsin, where 
most of them reside. 

The first land sale by the Onondagas was Sep. 12, 1788, and 
took most of their land, but reserved a mile around Onondaga 
lake for common use by them and the whites, with quite a tract 
farther south. In 1793 they sold a tract east of Onondaga creek 
and gave the State the right to lay out roads across their lands. 
In 1795 they sold the Salt Springs reservation and some land west 
of the creek. There were smaller sales in 1817 and 1822. 
• The Cayugas sold most of their land in 1789, but reserved a 
large tract on both sides of their lake at the north end and still 
farther north. In 1795 they sold all but a tract of 2 miles square 
and two others each a mile square. One of the latter, at Cayuga, 
was given to the Fish Carrier, one of their chiefs, and the others 
were sold in 1807, so that they have now no reservation. 

The Mohawks in Canada released all claims to New York 
lands in 1798, and the St Regis Indians made land sales in 1795, 
1813, 1824, 1825 and 1845. 

The Iroquois on the Grand river in Canada did not altogether 
escape land troubles, and Brant even proposed to remove to the 
United States. Some Iroquois from New York claimed that the 
Grand river lands belonged to them as well as the Mohawks. 
A council at Buffalo, under Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother, 
deposed Brant, but he was restored. According to Stone, the 
council was illegal, the council fire having been regularly 
removed from Buffalo to the Onondaga village on Grand river. 
It is certain, however, that legal councils were held at Buffalo, 
where the official Onondaga wampum keeper long resided. The 
wampum was restored to old Onondaga in 1847, but since 1812 
there have been two confederacies of the Six Nations, respec- 
tively in Canada and New York, and exactly corresponding. 

Brant went to the western treaty with the United States in 



3&0 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

June 1795. At this time took place the curious ceremony which 
made the Delawares men and warriors, and of which Zeisberger 
gave this account: 

They had, among other ceremonies, shorn an Indian's head, 
leaving only a little hair at the top, adorned him with white 
feathers, as the warriors are accustomed to do, and painted him. 
They left him no clothing except a breech-clout, and put a war- 
beetle into his hands, and then presented him to the Delawares 
with these words : " Cousin, beforetimes we put on thee only a 
woman's garment; hung on thy side a calabash, with oil to 
anoint thy head, put into thy hand a grubbing axe and a pestle, 
to plant corn and to grind it, together with other house-gear, 
and told thee to support thyself by agriculture, together with thy 
children, and to trouble thyself about nothing else. Now we cut 
in two the band wherewith thy garment is bound, throw it among 
these thick dark bushes, whence no man must bring it again, or 
he must die. Thou art no longer in thy proper form, but thy 
form is like this Indian's, whom we now present to thee, that 
thou mayest see who thou now art, and instead of a grubbing axe 
and corn-pestle we put into thy hand a war-beetle, and feathers 
upon thy head. Thou goest about now like a man." Thus they 
made the Delaware nation not only into men, but into warriors. 

A party of Mohawks went through the Moravian towns Aug. 
28, 1796, and Zeisberger said: "They are earnestly working to 
kindle war again, saying quite openly that there should be a new 
war with the States, and they seek to arouse the Canada Indians." 

The mission of Ganeodiyo, or Handsome Lake, the prophet of 
the new religion, has been placed both in 1790 and in 1800, with 
probabilities in favor of the later date. It seems to have been 
unknown when the Iroquois chiefs visited President Washington 
in 1792, and part of the revelation assumes that he was dead. 
Handsome Lake's name first appears on a treaty in 1794. but 
without special notice, and it may be assumed that he was then 
in no way distinguished from other chiefs. The revelation is 
said to have been made in the interest of his half-brother, Corn- 
planter, but there is no proof of this. It taught rewards and 
punishments based on sound morality, and strongly opposed 
drunkenness and the sale of lands. It was largely accepted by 
four of the Six Nations of New York and effected a considerable 
reformation. The prophet died at Onondaga in 181 5 and was. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 381 

buried there. Some Quakers were at Onondaga in 1809 and their 
words satisfactorily settle the time and effects of the prophet's 
mission : " We were informed, not only by themselves but the 
interpreter, that they had totally refrained from the use of ardent 
spirits for about nine years, and that none of the natives will 
touch it." 

He visited the President of the United States in March 1802, 
with some Onondaga and Seneca chiefs, and received a letter 
from the secretary of war, from which it may be gathered that 
his mission was then recent. There is mention of the revelation 
and of the four angels who made it, which was good news because 
of its objects : 

Brothers — The President is pleased with seeing you all in good 
health, after so long a journey, and he rejoices in his heart, that 
one of your own people has been employed to make you sober, 
good and happy; and that he is so well disposed to give you 
good advice, and to set before you so good examples. 

Brothers — If all the red people follow the advice of your 
friend and teacher, the Handsome Lake, and in future will be 
sober, honest, industrious and good, there can be no doubt but 
the Great Spirit will take care of you and make you happy. 

From time to time the Six Nations had made efforts to repress 
drunkenness, asking for stringent measures against rum selling 
one year and for their repeal the next. They sadly knew the full 
extent of the evil, but their good resolutions were not proof 
against it. In this respect there was now a great reformation, 
which yet was not thorough. There came later efforts. In 1830 
the Rev. James Cusick, a Tuscarora, founded a temperance soci- 
ety of more than 100 members, and in 1845 another of 50 mem- 
bers. In 1845 tne R- ev - Asher Bliss said of the Cattaraugus reser- 
vation • "Temperance societies have been patronized by nearly 
all the chiefs and leading men on the reservation. Pledges have 
been circulated, and received the signatures of a large majority 
of the population, on the Washingtonian plan." 

As often as with us these efforts have been kept up since, there 
being sometimes three or four temperance organizations on one 
reservation. The Good Templars have had one great advantage 



3& 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

in bringing the Indians into contact with a good class of white 
people, and being influenced by them. Among themselves, a 
Six Nations Temperance League both in Canada and New York, 
holds a great annual meeting, bringing representatives of all 
together in various places, with excellent results. 

In the settlement of western New York some Seneca chiefs 
became prominent, two of these being Honayewus, or Farmer's 
Brother, and Red Jacket, or Sagoyewatha. The latter was noted 
as an orator, and Colonel Stone quoted Thomas Morris's descrip- 
tion as follows : 

When I first knew Red Jacket he was in his prime, being 
probably about 36 years of age. He was decidedly the most 
eloquent man amongst the Six Nations. His stature was rather 
above than below the middle size. He was well made. His 
eyes were fine, and expressive of the intellect of which he pos- 
sessed an uncommon portion. His address, particularly when 
he spoke in council, was very fine, and almost majestic. He was 
decidedly the most graceful public speaker I ever heard. He was 
fluent, without being rapid. You could always tell when he 
meant to speak, from the pains he would take before he arose, 
to arrange the silver ornaments on his arms, and the graceful 
fold he would give to his blanket. 

Farmer's Brother may have been born about 1730 and died in 
1814. Though he spoke often, he preferred being a warrior to 
shining as an orator. Stone said of him : 

Beyond all doubt he was one of the noblest of his race, — in 
both intellect and eloquence fully equal to Red Jacket, and infi- 
nitely above him in courage and all the moral qualities of the 
man. . . He lived and died a sober man. He was remarkably 
well formed, and erect in his carriage, and trod the earth with a 
firm step to the last. 

The Seneca chiefs had tried to restrain the western Indians, 
but, at the battle of Tippecanoe, Nov. 7, 181 1, it is said that many 
young Senecas were engaged. Troubles with England came to 
a head in the War of 1812; and Hon. Erastus Granger held a 
council at Buffalo July 6, repeating Washington's advice to the 
Indians, " That you take no part in the quarrels of the white 
people." Red Jacket regretted that those in Canada had taken 
up arms, and another peace messenger was sent to the Mohawks 



History of the new york iroquois 383 

without effect. Not long after, it was reported that the British 
had seized Grand Island. This was thought a cause for war, 
and this declaration was made : 

We, the chiefs and councilors of the Six Nations of Indians, 
residing in the State of New- York, do hereby proclaim to all the 
war-chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations, that war is declared 
on our part against the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. 
Therefore, we hereby command and advise all the war-chiefs and 
warriors of the Six Nations to call forth immediately the war- 
riors under them, and put them in motion to protect their 
rights and liberties, which our brethren, the Americans, are 
now defending. 

A council at old Onondaga followed, Sep. 28, 1812, and an 
address was sent to the president, saying: 

Brother, — The undersigned, chiefs of the Oneida, Onondaga, 
Stockbridge and Tuscarora tribes of Indians, as far west as Tona- 
wanda, regularly deputed by our respective tribes, have this day 
lighted up a council fire at Onondaga, the ancient council ground 
of the Six Confederated Nations. 

They had been advised to be neutral and were surprised at the 
declaration of the Buffalo council, but added : " We are few in 
number, and can do but little, but our hearts are good, and we 
are willing to do what we can." They took no part till the next 
year, when 400 Senecas under Young Cornplanter aided in the 
defense of Buffalo. In a later engagement, July 17, the Six 
Nations gave efficient aid. General Boyd said at this time : 
" The bravery and humanity of the Indians were equally con- 
spicuous." They also took part in the battle of Chippewa, July 
5, 1814, led by Captain Pollard, a Seneca chief. Stone said 
that Rawaskant, or Steel Trap, an old Onondaga warrior, had 
expected this honor, but was not even named in the council. 
He went home at once, saying, " They think me too old, and 
that I am good for nothing." Clark also said that Hoahoaqua, 
or La Fort, an Onondaga chief who was killed in this battle, 
was chosen leader, but this was an error. 



3§4 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

Chapter 26 

Morse's Indian report. Census made at various times. Ogden Land Co. 
Reservations. General Carrington's statements. Little violence. Citizen- 
ship. Title to lands. Schools. Union soldiers. Present government. 
Immorality. Progress. 

The Rev. Jedidiah Morse made a report in 1822, on the Indians 
of the United States. In 1796 he found " the whole population 
of the Six Nations, including their adopted children, was 3748." 
In 1818 Jasper Parish said officially, " The population of the Six 
Nations of Indians is 4575." The Oneidas were then 1031, exclu- 
sive of the Stockbridges ; and at old Onondaga were 299 Onon- 
dagas. Morse found but 272 of the latter there in 182 1. Includ- 
ing the Brothertown and Stockbridge Indians at Oneida, the Six 
Nations of New York then numbered 4884. After that, most of 
the Oneidas went to Wisconsin. 

In 1792 their missionary, Rev. Samuel Kirkland, said the 
Oneidas had several villages from 10 to 15 miles from Oneida 
lake, and numbered 630. There were 280 Stockbridge Indians 
6 miles south of the largest Oneida village, who came from 
Massachusetts. The Oneidas had also given lands to 250 
Brothertown Indians in 1786, which were 20 miles south of 
Oneida lake. Their village was 8 miles south of the Stock- 
bridges, and they had come from Long Island sound. 

Mention has been made of some of the loose estimates of num- 
bers from time to time. In the New York census of 1845 an 
effort was made to get more reliable data of all kinds, and Henry 
R. Schoolcraft was employed to do this. He found here 20 Mo- 
hawks, 210 Oneidas, 368 Onondagas, 123 Cayugas, 2441 Senecas, 
281 Tuscaroras, and 360 St Regis Indians. Other Iroquois in 
the United States were ^22 Oneidas in Wisconsin, 125 Senecas 
west of the Mississippi, and 211 mixed Senecas and Shawnees, 
of whom half might be Senecas. There were also 51 Cornplanter 
' Senecas in Pennsylvania, named from that chief. He estimated 
the Canadian Iroquois at 2000, and the whole number then living 
at 6942, but did not take in some Canadian villages ; and the mere 
estimates are too low. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 385 

The United States census of 1890 was naturally more accurate, 
returning fully 7387 Iroquois in the United States and 8483 in 
Canada, with a total of 15,870. The estimate of the greatest 
earlier population was 13,000 in 1682. This census also gave 
5239 as the Iroquois population of New York, to which may be 
added 98 on the adjoining Cornplanter reservation in Pennsyl- 
vania. Including this in the New York census, there were in 
the State 481 Onondagas, 212 Oneidas, 18 Mohawks, 183 Cay- 
ugas, 2767 Senecas and 408 Tuscaroras. On the New York side 
of St Regis were 1129 Indians. This left over 2000 Iroquois in 
other parts of the United States. The reported increase on the 
New York reservations in 45 years was 1753. Reckoning by 
these alone, there were in 1890, 494 Onondaga, 561 Tonawanda, 
880 Allegany, 1582 Cattaraugus, 459 Tuscarora and 1157 St 
Regis Indians. As many more of the latter were on the Canada 
side. 

In 1819 the Ogden Land Company held a treaty at Buffalo, 
desiring to secure all the Seneca reservations or have them con- 
centrate on one. Agents of the United States and Massachu- 
setts also attended, but the treaty was not successful, and there 
was now a marked religious division in the Seneca nation. Suc- 
cessive councils were held till 1826, when the Ogden Company 
had more success, securing several small reservations in the 
Genesee valley and parts of others. 

In 1838 all the Seneca lands in New York were conveyed to 
the company, and this treaty was approved by the United States 
Senate, March 1840, and afterward proclaimed by the president. 
All this involved the arrangements about western lands and a 
long litigation, recently decided in favor of the Indians. The 
Senecas opposed the ratification on the ground of fraud, and it 
was agreed that improper means had been used, the case creating 
great interest and sympathy for the Indians. The Quakers took 
up their plea and a compromise treaty was made in 1842, legal 
resort proving useless. A full account of all is contained in the 
report on The Indian Problem, made to the Legislature of New 
York in 1889, the compromise being this : 



3^6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

The Ogden Company released and handed back to the Senecas 
the whole of the Allegany reservation and the Cattaraugus reser- 
vation, and the Senecas gave up the whole of the Buffalo creek 
and the Tonawanda reservations, the Ogden Company retaining 
the preemptive right in the two reservations surrendered to the 
Indians. 

The Tonawandas were not satisfied with this, and forcibly 
held possession till 1857, when a new treaty was made, and most 
of the reservation was bought and restored to the Indians in 
1863. At one time their friends thought all would have to leave 
the State. The matter rests thus. The Indians hold their lands 
with no intention of selling them, but no one can buy the Seneca 
lands except the Ogden Company. 

Out of various treaties and transfers grew the claim of the 
Six Nations to Kansas lands, deeded to them but opened and 
sold to settlers in i860. In 1880 active measures were taken to 
recover the price of 1,824,000 acres, and in 1900 the Indians 
gained their case and an award of $1,998,744. Payment of this 
three years later, was delayed by questions on distribution, raised 
by the Indians themselves, some who had left New York claim- 
ing a share. 

In 1890 there were 106 Oneidas living in Oneida and Madison 
counties, but they had no reservation. The Onondaga reserva- 
tion, about 5 miles south of the center of Syracuse, is a rectangle, 
4 miles long by a little over 2.3 wide, containing about 6100 acres. 

Tonawanda reservation originally had 71 square miles, and has 
now but 6549.73 acres. It is irregular in form and in the counties 
of Niagara, Genesee and Erie. Like the four following, it is a 
Seneca reserve. Allegany reservation, in Cattaraugus county, is 
irregular in form, from being on both sides of Allegheny river. It 
is nearly 35 miles long, following that stream, and contains 30,469 
acres. Oil Spring reservation, in the same county, is a mile 
square. Cornplanter reservation, in Pennsylvania, is half a mile 
wide and 2 miles long. Cattaraugus reservation is in Cattaraugus, 
Chautauqua and Erie counties, on both sides of Cattaraugus creek. 
It is 9.5 miles long, east and west, and about 3 miles wide in the 
center. It is irregular in form and contains 21,680 acres. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 387 

The Tuscarora reservation in Niagara county came to the Tus- 
carora people by donation and purchase. It is irregular in form 
and includes 6249 acres. The St Regis reservation lies south of 
the boundary line, in St Lawrence and Franklin counties and on 
the St Lawrence, Raquette and St Regis rivers. It is irregular 
in form, about 7.3 miles long on the south line, and about 3 miles 
wide ; area about 14,640 acres. The Canadian half is about equal 
in size and population. 

In the census report for 1890 are those of the special agent, 
Gen. Henry B. Carrington, and of Mr T. W. Jackson, United 
States agent for the Six Nations, employed as enumerator. This 
and the Indian Problem are among the most valuable works on 
the Iroquois lately prepared, though having many of the com- 
mon historic errors. The other matter is good and carefully 
prepared. The following statements are summarized from those 
made by General Carrington. 

He found that many late reports " were evidently manufac- 
tured and given out by interested parties when legislation to 
affect these Indians was pending." On none of the reserva- 
tions were intoxicating liquors sold, nor were there " houses for 
immoral purposes nor gambling dens. . . The Six Nations 
are in most danger from without." They have generally asked 
to be let alone. He adds : 

They have been in a great measure let alone by the authorities, 
and the result is that they are self-sustaining and much further 
advanced in civilization than any other reservation Indians in 
the United States, and as much so as an average number of white 
people in many localities. . . Envious Caucasians, hungering 
for the Indians' landed possessions in New York State, as else- 
where, have been active and earnest in efforts to absorb their 
substance. They have been kept from doing so thus far through 
the efforts of earnest and active fair-minded people, who have 
prevented their spoliation. 

Crimes were few, stealing and quarreling rare. 

The total local offenses during the year was 16 in an Indian 
population of 5133. . . No communities elsewhere, white or 
otherwise, are known where person and property are more safe, 
or where male and female can walk unattended at night with 



3^8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

greater security. Pauperism is unusual and the tramp almost 
unknown. . . The special agent calls attention to the gradual 
elimination of diseases resulting from white association in early 
times. This has reduced mortality and increased longevity. 
The growth of self-reliance is especially noticeable. . . 2884 
speak the English language, and 1985 do not. The total acreage 
of the reservations of the Six Nations is 82,327.73, with an Indian 
and adopted population of 5203, or 16.78 acres for each person. 

The law recognizes each nation " as much sovereignties, by 
treaty and obligation, as are the several states of the United 
States." The following words of General Carrington will con- 
vey nothing new to real students of the situation, but they may 
be of use to those who are confident they can dispose of every 
difficulty by a single act: 

If the Iroquois, native or foreign born, want to become citizens 
of the United States, they must renounce allegiance to their own- 
people, but, if those of the Six Nations in New York become such 
citizens, they can not carry their real property interest with 
them. . . This, in fact, is at present a practical inhibition in 
their way to citizenship. The several reservations belong to 
them (St Regis differs somewhat from the rest), and neither the 
State of New York nor the United States can legally break them 
up without the Indians' consent, or through conditions analogous 
to those of war. . . The title to these reservations is in the 
nation, and the members are therefore at common law " tenants 
in common." Each owns his undivided share absolutely, inde- 
pendently of the United States or the State of New York. The 
individuals, however, only hold a fee equivalent to the ownership 
of the land they improve, with power to sell or devise among their 
own people, but not to strangers. It is a good title. The nation 
itself can not disturb it. . . The conclusion is irresistible that 
the Six Nations are nations by treaty and law, and have long 
since been recognized as such by the United States and the State 
of New York, and an enlightened public will surely hesitate 
before proceeding to divest these people of long established rights 
without their consent. 

The United States employs an agent, messenger, physician 
and interpreter. The agent receives and distributes money and 
goods annually to all but the St Regis Indians. The New York 
State agent acts for the Onondagas, and the attorney for those 
at St Regis. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 389 

No allotment can be made of the Six Nations lands, nor can an 
assignment in severalty of them be had on the basis of a common 
and general division or absolute removal, as is usual with ordi- 
nary reservation Indians. The present occupancy or recorded 
titles would prevent this, and the courts would undoubtedly pro- 
tect them. While land tenure among the Six Nations is, as a 
rule, secure in the families enjoying it, the evidence of title for 
many years largely depended upon visible possession and im- 
provement rather than upon the record evidence common to white 
people. Verbal wills recited at the dead feasts, in the presence 
of witnesses to the devise, were usually regarded as sacred, and 
a sale, with delivery of possession, was respected when no writ- 
ten conveyance was executed. Of late years written wills have 
become common. . . The clerk of the Seneca nation keeps a 
record of grants made by the council. Generally, the clerk, 
whether of chiefs, as with the Onondagas and Tuscaroras, or of 
trustees, as with the St Regis, has trie custody of the records of 
official proceedings respecting grants or sales of lands. . . An 
applicant for land, after petition, secures a vote of council or of 
chiefs of a tribe or nation, as the case may be, with the descrip- 
tion of the. land asked for, and a copy of that vote is the basis of 
a permanent title to himself, his heirs and assignees. . . The 
infrequency of transfer out of a family and the publicity of the 
act when such a transfer is made have been esteemed sufficiently 
protective. . . As with white people, there are and will be Six 
Nations Indians landowners and Six Nations Indians landless. 

In 1890 there were 27 schools on the New York reservations, 
besides the Thomas Asylum, and the number of teachers has 
been since increased. Irregular habits and a feeling that school 
education was of little use have interfered with study, but, as 
the benefits are realized, there are better results and attendance. 
Reading, writing and arithmetic are seen to be useful, and a 
common education is desired. General Carrington well said: 

No people are quicker to catch opportunities for easy gain. A 
system of rewards, stimulative of effort in the education of their 
children, if well advised and fostered, would be worth its cost 
and accomplish lasting good. 

The early French missionaries understood this. In 1669 Father 
Bruyas found his Oneida pupils daily increasing, but he had 
been shrewd in his management, and said : " Whoever knows 
how to repeat on Sunday all that is said during the week, has 
a string of glass beads, or two little glass cylinders, or two rings 
of brass." 



39° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM , 

After the colonial period, there were new efforts in the way 
of Indian education, often of a mere personal character and with- 
out permanence. State aid was first given not very long ago, 
and for a time was of a very cheap kind. It has not been all 
that is needed yet ; but those who have known the New York 
reservations for 60 years are well aware of the great advance made. 

As nearly as could be learned in 1890, the Six Nations fur- 
nished for the Civil War 162 soldiers and sailors ; the Onondagas 
16, the Senecas 113, the Tuscaroras 10, and the St Regis 23. 
These were not in one organization, but enlisted in various regi- 
ments. One noted Seneca chief, Donehogawa, or Ely S. Parker, 
served on General Grant's staff and was a man of good education. 

The Onondagas have 27 chiefs, the ruling ones chosen by the 
women of the clan represented. These usually hold office till 
death or deposition, and boys may be chosen, but can not vote 
on financial affairs. There are now a president, secretary, 
treasurer and other officers. The Tonawanda Senecas have 34 
chiefs, chosen by the women of the vacant clans, but the chiefs 
in office may demand a reconsideration. The people vote for 
executive officers. The Allegany and Cattaraugus Senecas are 
legally incorporated as " The Seneca Nation," with a constitu- 
tion, a council of 16 members, half elected every year, and a 
president. Expenditures of over $500 require a popular vote. 

The Tuscaroras have their ancient chiefs, chosen by the 
women. The St Regis Indians were one of the Seven Nations 
of Canada, always with a peculiar government, and now having 
trustees annually elected. 

Inquiry was diligently made respecting the number of recog- 
nized immoral characters living on the respective reservations. 
These inquiries were made with the population list in mind, and 
always of different persons. There was an almost invariable 
concurrence of testimony, specifying how many and who openly 
violated the laws of chastity. The largest estimate for any reser- 
vation was less than 20; at some reservations not even six could 
be named. . . The people of the Six Nations, with all their 
unhappy surroundings and poverty, in this matter have suffered 
opprobium beyond their true desert in the judgment of Christian 
America. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 391 

There is no occasion to precipitate the technical, very vague, 
and very unsubstantial condition of citizenship upon the people 
of the Six Nations. It would only facilitate, while they are poor, 
the transfer of their lands to hungry white men without benefit 
to their people at large. . . The Six Nations will make better 
citizens by a still longer struggle among themselves, if supported 
generously and charitably by those who are their true friends. 

General Carrington gives sound reasons why citizenship and 
partition should not be enforced or hastened, and it may be added 
that some of the most advanced and intelligent Iroquois hold 
the same opinions. They can not see what they would gain by 
citizenship, and they realize the dangers and difficulties of par- 
tition. One great difficulty comes in the line of descent. Mr 
Jackson differed from General Carrington on the main question, 
but admitted the difficulties. He said: 

In my opinion, the proper way to civilize the Indians of New 
York is to secure a division of their lands in severalty, and place 
them in full citizenship ; but there are many questions and diffi- 
culties to be overcome before this can be done without injury to 
the rights of the Indians. 

In the judgment of some who know the New York Iroquois 
best, they have made a remarkable advance in the last half cen- 
tury; and the future is full of hope for them if guidance and 
aid are not replaced by unwise coercion. Many live well and 
are highly esteemed. They are in demand in various industries, 
and some judicious business training would increase the demand. 
The growing contact with intelligent and reputable white people 
is one important factor; the recognized advantages of essential 
branches of education in business are telling favorably on the 
question of schools. Old feasts and customs have lost their 
hold, and dances which were once religious are now but frolics. 
Church membership compares fairly with that of white com- 
munities. The census of 1890 reported 12 church buildings, 18 
ministers, and 1074 communicants in New York. In temper- 
ance organizations they surpass their white neighbors. 

In the history now given this gradual change and progress 
may be seen. Many savage features had disappeared before 
1800; and the Indians who had fought New York men a little 



39 2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

before, then aided the pioneers in subduing the wilderness, wel- 
coming them with open hands. But to understand the change 
more fully, one should go into some of the better Iroquois homes 
of today, and contrast them with anything — the very best — 
found on an Indian reservation 60 years ago. Much is yet desir- 
able; but there is constant progress. Some object to the change 
who have a taste for the novel and picturesque; some because 
the change is less rapid than they wish. Let both rest assured 
that the progress is natural and healthy, and is resulting in good. 
With more time and better influences a higher good will come. 
One pleasant feature is the revival of interest in all pertaining 
to the Indian race, practical or curious. That we should wish 
to know the meanings or history of the local names we use seems 
a matter of course, but there is a constant call for Indian names 
for places, houses, boats and clubs, because of their beauty and 
sonorous sound. The desire to know more of aboriginal life 
daily increases, and new works on the subject or reprints of old 
ones constantly appear. The fact that old customs and articles 
are vanishing has led to personal study of those which remain, 
as well as the preservation of much which is curious or valuable. 
It would be well were there more visible memorials of historic 
Indian sites, but monuments are not forgotten. Jogues and the 
Mission of the Martyrs are recalled by the shrine at Auriesville. 
The Brant monument at Brantford in Canada, tells of a notable 
man and a powerful confederacy; the Red Jacket memorial at 
Canoga marks the birthplace of a great orator, and his monu- 
ment at Buffalo points out his tomb ; the Kirkpatrick memorials 
at Syracuse recall the friends and guides of Le Moyne; and the 
Logan monument, within the earthwork at Auburn, bears that 
chief's pathetic words : " Who is there to mourn for Logan ? " 
Other memorials there will be, but the historic, legendary or 
descriptive names he has left to meadow, river, lake and moun- 
tain, will still be the red man's greatest and most enduring monu- 
ment, heard from infant lips and cherished in old age. As Schiller 
wrote : " O'er dust triumphant lives the Name." Nations die, but 
that endures. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES 



394 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

PLATE I 

Part of Champlain's map of 1632 

1 Saults in various parts, all under one number 

2 La Nation des Puans, afterward called Winnebagoes 

3 Isle ou il y a vne mine de cuiure. This copper mine was reported by Brule 

on his return from the Huron country. 

4 Grand lac, Lake Michigan 

5 Les gens de feu, Assistagueronons, afterward Maskoutins 

6 Mer douce, Lake Huron 

7 Lieu ou les sauuages font secherie de framboise et blues tous .les ans 

8 Lac de Bisserenis, called by him very handsome 

9 Bisserenis 

10 Chasse des caribous Algommequins 

11 Huron country, where there are a number of tribes and 17 villages inclosed 

with triple palisades of wood, with galleries all around in form of parapet 

12 Gens de Petun is a tribe that cultivates that plant [tobacco] in which 

they drive a considerable trade with the other nations. Afterward 
called Tionontaties. 

13 Cheveux relevez are savages who do not wear a breech cloth, and go quite 

naked except in winter. Algonquins so called from their erect hair. 

14 The Neutral Nation is a tribe which maintains itself against all others and 

has no war except against the Assistaque-ronons 

15 Lac St Louis, now Lake Ontario 

16 The Antouhonorons are 15 villages built in strong positions, enemies 

of all others except the Neutral nation. The Yroquois and the 
Antouhonorons make war together. 

17 Village inclosed by four palisades, where Sieur Champlain went to war 

against the Antouhonorons, where he took several Indian prisoners. 
In the narrative it is an Iroquois fort. The dotted line shows his route. 

18 Hirocois, his usual spelling for Iroquois; sometimes Yroquois. 

19 Carantouanis is a nation to the south of the Antouhonorons. . . where 

they are strongly lodged, and are friends with all the other nations 
except the Antouhonorons, from whom they are only three days distant. 
They were near the Susquehanna, and probably near Waverly N. Y. 

20 Petitte nation des Algommequins, or Algonquins 

21 River of the Algommequins, now Ottawa river 

22 Quebec 

23 Lac de Champlain 

24 The Place in Lake Champlain, where the Yroquois were defeated by said 
Sieur Champlain. This was in 1609. 

25 Little Lake by which we go to the Yroquois after passing that of Champlain 

26 Abenaquis 

27 Lac de Quinebequi 



30 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 2 



Part of Sanson's map of 1656 



1 Lac Superieur 

2 Lac de Puans 

3 Oukouarararonons. Ronon means 

nation. 

4 Assistaeronons, ou Nation du 

Feu 

5 Ariatoeronon 

6 Couaeronon 

7 Lac des Eaux de Mer 

8 Aictaeronon 

9 Squenquioronon 

10 Astakouankaeronons 

11 Skiaeronon 

12 Cheveux releves 

13 Aouechissaronon 

14 Elsouataironon 

15 L. Nipissiriniens 

16 Eachiciouachoronon 

17 Nipissiriniens 

18 Aossondi 

19 Enchek 

20 Karegnondi. Now Lake Huron 

21 S. Simon, S. Jude 

22 N. du Petun, ou Sanhionontatehe- 

ronons 

23 h. Pierre, S. Pol 

24 S. Francois 

25 N. D. des Anges 

26 N. Neutre or Attiouandarons 

27 S. Michel 

28 S. Joseph 

29 Alexis 

30 Hurons 

31 Oentaron L. 

32 Sarontouaneronon 

33 Chonchradeen 

34 Algonquins 

35 Quionontateronon ou Petite Na- 

tion de l'lsle ou Ehouqueronon 

36 Otchiahen 

37 Tonthataronon 

38 Sault de S. Louys 

39 Mont Real 

40 R. des Prairies 



41 Aentondae 

42 Errahonanoate 

43 Agoyaheno 

44 Tarantou 

45 Chiaentonan 

46 Chaouaeronon 

47 R. de Mons 

48 L. S. Pierre 

49 les Trois Rivieres 

50 L. S. Joseph 

51 Sillery 

52 Quebec 

53 I. d'Orleans 

54 L. Erie, ou Du Chat 

55 Eriechronons ou N. du Chat 

56 Ongiara Sault 

57 Ontario, ou Lac de St Louys 

58 Sonontouaerronons 

59 Sovouaronon. Possibly Cayugas 

60 Onneichronons 

61 Onontagueronons 

62 Anneronons 

63 Iroquois 

64 N. Sueden 

65 Isle Capagiatehissins 

66 Naroua Lac 

67 Richelieu 

68 L. Champlain 

69 Andiataroque L. now Lake 

George 

70 Oiogue R., Mohawk river 

71 R. du Nort, Hudson river 

72 Nouvelle Amsterdam 

73 Nouveau Pays Bas, or New Neth- 

erland 

74 Longe Eyland 

75 N. Hollande 

76 Socoquiois 

77 N. Pleymouth 

78 Nouvelle Angleterre 

79 Ouabouquiquois 

80 Abnaquiois 

81 Quinibequi R. 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



399 



17 Caldaria 

18 S. Michel 

19 S. John 

20 S. Joachim 

21 Arethsi 

22 S. Ignatius 

23 Gaion Reate 



24 S. Elizabeth 

25 S. John Baptist 

26 P. Ethaouatius 

27 Anatari 

28 L. Anaouites 

29 Lacus Ouentaronius 



400 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 4 



Coronelli's map of 1688 



1 Lac Huron ou Mer Douce des 

Hurons 

2 Ekaenton Isle 

3 Michilimackinac 

4 R. Francois 

5 Missisagha 

6 Lac Nipissing or Skekoven 

7 Sorciers 

8 Allumettes. Isle du Borgne 

9 Sault des Calumets 

10 Ottawa or Huron river 

11 Beaver hunting grounds of Loups 

and Iroquois 

12 River flowing from L. Taronto 

into L. Huron 

13 Road by which the Iroquois go to 

the Ottawas 
14, 15 Cayuga villages of Teyoyagon, 
Ganatchekiagon, Ganeraske 
and Kentsio 

16 L. and R. de Tanouate Kente 

17 Tontiarenhe 

18 Ohate 

19 Onondkouy 

20 Sault des Chats 

21 Petite Nation 

22 Long Sault (of the Ottawa.) 

23 Otondiata 

24 Baye de Sikonam 

25 Tsiketo or L. Chaudiere, now L. 

St Clair 

26 Very beautiful river. The Iro- 

quois have destroyed most of 
the inhabitants 

27 Shawnees 

28 Outlet of L. Huron 

29 Atiragenrega, nation detruite 

30 Antouaronons, nation detruite 

31 Niagagarega, nation detruite 



32 Lac Teiocharontiong dit com- 

munement Lac Erie. Called Te- 
charonkion in 1670 

33 L. Erie. It is said here that this 

is not Lake Erie, commonly so 
called, but " Erie est une partie 
de la Baye de Chesapeack dans 
la Virginie, ou les Eriechro- 
nons ont toujours demeure." 

34 Ohio river, called so because of 

its beauty or size 

35 Lac Oniasont, now Chautauqua 

lake 

36 Les Oniasont-Keronons 

37 Lac Ontario ou de Frontenac 

38 Marshes and fishing ponds along 

the lake shores 

39 Ka Kouagoga, nation detruite 

40 Senecas 

41 Negateca fontaine 

42 Cayugas 

43 The largest vessels are able to 

navigate from here to the end 
of L. Frontenac 

44 Cahihonouaghe, place where 

most of the Loups and Iro- 
quois land to go in the beaver 
trade to New York, by road 
marked by double rows of 
marks 

45 Corlar, or Schenectady 

46 Albany, formerly Fort Orange 

47 North river 

48 L. Champlain 

49 Lac du St Sacrement 

50 R. Richelieu 

51 Sorel R. 

52 Savages called Mahingans or So- 

coquis 




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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 5 



Part of Colonel Romer's map of 1700 

He went only to the Oswego river, and west of that his map is fanciful. 



1 Onondages R., now Oneida 

2 Cananda river, now Seneca 

3 Cajouge river, now Seneca 

4 Cananda lake, now Onondaga. Ka- 

neenda usually 

5 Salt pan, the salt springs 

6 Onondages. Onondaga, then on 

east side of Butternut creek 

7 Kechioiahte, now Butternut creek 

8 Quiehook, now Chittenango creek 

9 Sachnawarage, selected for fort. 

Variously spelled 

10 Onydes lake 

11 Wood kill 

12 Great Carrying Place. Curiously 

out of place 



13 Carrying Place, now Rome N. Y. 

14 Beaver Kill, now Oneida creek 

15 Onyedes. Old Oneida in Oneida 

county 

16 The old trail which he followed. 

Smaller trails are shown. 

17 Maquas river 

18 Third Maquas Castle, called Da- 

ganahoge 

19 Second Maquas Castle. The first 

he placed on the north side of 
the Mohawk, opposite Schoharie 
creek. The Oswego river he 
called" by its present name. 



404 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 6 



Charlevoix's map of 1745 



1 Fort Niagara 

2 Le Grand Marais 

3 Petite Riv. aux Boeufs 

4 R. aux Boeufs 

5 R. S. Aubin 

6 R. Noire 

7 R. Gaskonchiagon, i. e. River of 

the falls, Genesee river 

8 R. des Sonnontouans, i. e. River 

of the Senecas, which is prop- 
erly the Seneca river of that 
day. The river on the map has 
no existence. 

9 Ganientaragouat, ou R. des Sables. 

Irondequoit bay 

10 Baye des Goyogouins, or Cayu- 

gas. Sodus bay 

11 Lac des Latrons. Little Sodus 

bay 

12 Riviere inconnue aux Geog- 

raphes qui est remplie de 
Saults et de Cascades. Upper 
part of Genesee river 

13 Tsonnontouans, or Senecas 

14 Fontaine Brulante, the noted 

burning spring 

15 Lac Thiohero, Cayuga lake 

16 Goyogouen, or Cayuga 

17 Lac Asco, now Owasco 

18 Lac Scaniatores, now Skaneateles 

19 Onontatacet, a Cayuga village on 

Seneca river 

20 L. Tiocton, now Cross lake 

21 Lac Ganentaha, now Onondaga 

lake 



22 Onontagues, or Onondagas 

23 Techirogen, Indian name of 

Brewerton, from the lake 

24 Lac Techirogen, Oneida lake 

25 Onnejioust, Oneida 

26 R. des Onontagues, Oswego river 

27 Fort de Choueguen, Oswego 

28 R. de La Grosse Ecorce, Salmon 

creek or Little Salmon river 

29 La Petite Famine, Grindstone creek 

30 La Grande Famine, Salmon river 

31 R. de la Planche, Little Sandy 

creek 

32 R. des Sables, Sandy creek 

33 R. de l'Assomption, Stony brook 

34 Baye de Niaoure, Chaumont bay 

35 Pt. de la Traverse 

36 I. aux Galots 

37 Same 

38 I. au Renard 

39 I. aux Chevreuils 

40 I. Tonti 

41 Kente, now Quinte 

42 Gannejouts 

43 Fort Frontenac, often called 

Cataraqui 

44 Baye de Cataracouy 

45 R. Ouagaron. He placed the Iro- 

quois villages of Tejaiagon, 
Gandatsiagon, Ganaraske, Tan- 
naoute, Kente and Gannejouts 
on the north side of Lake 
Ontario. 



406 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 7 



M. de Pouchot's map of 1758 



1 R. Chenonda, now Chippewa river 

2 Fort Niagara 

3 Niagara portage 

4 Kanoagoa, Seneca village 

5 Schatacoin R., outlet of Chautau- 

qua lake 

6 R. a la terre puante, Cattaraugus 

creek, meaning the same 

7 R. Kaeouagegein, Eighteen Mile 

creek, or Creek of the Kahk- 
wahs 

8 R. au boiblanc, from its Indian 

name of Basswood creek, Buf- 
falo creek 

9 Grende R. au beufs 

10 R. Gascon chagon. Genesee river, 

Indian name for the falls 

11 Baye et F. des Sable. Now Iron- 

dequoit bay 

12 Baye de goyogoins, Bay of the 

Cayugas. Sodus bay 

13 Les Boucauts, Little Sodus bay 

14 Kanvagen, Seneca village 

15 Connectxio, Geneseo 

16 Kanonskegon, Seneca village 

17 Oneotade. Probably the village 

farther west 

18 Kanestio, now Canisteo 

19 Kaygen 



20 Kayjen. Delaware villages 

21 Knacto 

22 Theaggen or Tioga 

23 R. de Kanestio 

24 East branch of the Susquehanna 

25 Runonvea, village near Chemung 

river 

26 Anjagen, Seneca village 

27 Kanentagon; perhaps for Canan- 

daigua 

28 Kanentage, Canandaigua, but at 

the wrong end of the lake 

29 Kaensatague, eastern Seneca castle 

30 Kendae, village on the east side of 

Seneca lake 

31 Oeyendehit, a name placed between 

Seneca and Cayuga lakes 

32 V. Goyogoin. Cayuga 

33 R. des 5 Nations. Now Seneca 

river 

34 V. Onontague 

35 V. Onoyote 

36 Chouegen or Oswego 

37 R. de Chouegen 

38 R. au Chicots, or Wood creek 

39 F. Stenix, Fort Stanwix 

40 R. a M. le Contte 

41 Bay de Niaoure, Chaumont bay 




CO 



4o8 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 8 



Part of Col. Guy Johnson's map of 1771 



1 Fort Niagara 

2 Great Falls 

3 Fort Sclosser 

4, 5 Small villages 

6 Johnson's Harbor 

7 Tiyanagarunte creek 

8 Prideauk bay 

9 Little Seneca Rr. now Genesee 

river 

10 Falls very high 

11 Adiarundaquat, now Irondequoit 

bay 

12 Aserotus. "Aserotus harbour is 

capable of receiving Vessels of 
Burden." Now Sodus bay 

13 Little Sodus 

14 Fort Ontario 

15 Indian path to the lake 

16 Canawagus, now Avon 

17 Chenussio, now Geneseo 

18 Anarara, now Honeoye 

19 Ganuskago, now Dansville 

20 Onondarka 

21 Karaghiyadirha, now Caneadea 

22 Gistaguat 

23 Tioniongarunte 

24 Ohio or Allegany River as it is 

called above Fort Pitt 

25 Kanestio, with mixed population 

26 Sinsink, a Munsey town 

27 Canadaragey, now Canandaigua 

28 Canadasegy, near Geneva 

29 Unnamed, but is Kashong 

30 Seneca Lake 

31 Unnamed, but is Kendaia 

32 Cayuga. There were several vil- 

lages. 

33 Cayuga L. 

34 Toderighrono, an adopted people 



35 Tiaoga, a Delaware town 

36 Sheshecunnunk 

37 Wialoosin 

38 Owegy, now Owego 

39 Chughnutt, now Choconut 

40 Otsiningo, now Chenango. Mostly 

Nanticokes 

41 Onoghquagy, now Oquaga. 

Oneidas and Tuscaroras 

42 East branch of the Susquehanna 

43 Great Seneca, now Seneca river 

44 Glass L., now Cross lake 

45 Salt L., now Onondaga lake 

46 Onondaga 

47 Onondaga Rr., now Oswego river 

48 3 Rivers, junction of Seneca, Onei- 

da and Oswego rivers 

49 Fort Brewerton 

50 Oneida Lake 

51 This Country belongs to the Onei- 

das. 

52 Fish Cr. 

53 Wood Cr. 

54 Fort Stanwix 

55 Ganaghsaraga, a Tuscarora Town. 

"The Tuscaroras who form the 
sixth Nation are omitted, being 
a southern People that live on 
lands allotted them between 
Oneida & Onondaga." 

56 Oneida. This is Old Oneida, near 

Oriskany creek. 

57 Tienaderha River, now Unadilla 

58 " The Villages on the East Branch 

of Susquehannah are chiefly 
occupied by Oneidas and Tus- 
caroras." 

59 "The Boundary Settled with the 

Indians in 1768." 

60 Orisca, now Oriskany creek 



"The Mohocks are not mentioned as they reside within the limits of 
N. York at Fort Hunter & Conajoharie." North of the towns along the 
Mohawk river, it is said, "The Boundary of New York not being closed 
this part of the Country still belongs to the Mohocks." 




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4IO NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 9 



Condensed from Morgan's " Map of Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga, or 
the Territories of the People of the Long House." 185 1 

This gives names of places mostly as known to the Senecas. The location 
of Indian towns is hardly satisfactory. Many of colonial days are omitted, 
while a few are retained, and it is hard to say precisely what period it repre- 
sents. So valuable a contribution to New York ethnology should have recog- 
nition in any history of the Six Nations ; and, while much will be omitted, 
some additional information will be supplied. 

1 Lake Erie. Do'-sho-weh Te-car-ne-o-di, the first word being the name 

of Buffalo, and the latter standing for lake. It had many names. 

2 Lake Ontario. Ne-ah'-ga Te-car-ne-o-di, or Lake at Niagara 

3 Grand river, Canada. Swa'-geh, Flowing out, once applied to Lake 

Erie 

4 Burlington bay. De-o-na'-sa-de-o, Where the Sand forms a Bar 

5 Toronto. De'on-do, Log Floating on the Water 

6 Kingston. Ga-dai-o'-que, Fort in the Water 

7 Wolfe island. De-a'-wone-da-ga-han'-da 

8 St Lawrence river. Ga-na-wa'-ga, The Rapid River 

9 Dunkirk. Ga-na'-da-wa-o, Running through the Hemlocks 

10 Cattaraugus creek and Indian village. Ga'-da-des-ga-o, Fetid Banks 

11 Chautauqua lake. Cha-da'-queh, Place where One was lost. Several 

interpretations 

12 Conewango river. Ga'-no-wun-go, In the Rapids 

13 Indian village on the Allegany river. De-o'-na-ga-no, Cold Spring 

14 Indian village on the Allegany river. Jo'-ne-a-dih, Beyond the Great 

Bend 

15 Oil spring Indian village, Te-car-nohs, Dropping Oil ; 

16 Canisteo. Te-car'-nase-te-o, Board on the Water 

17 Allegany river. O-hee-yo, Beautiful River 

18 Buffalo. Do'-sho-weh, Splitting the Fork. Most others render it Place 

of Basswoods. 

19 Near Buffalo were Red Jacket's village, Te-kise'-da-ne-yout, Place of 

the Bell, and Ga-sko'-sa-da, Village at the Falls. The Onondaga 
village is unnoted. 

20 Carrying place village. Gwa'-u-gweh, Place of taking out Boats 

21 Niagara river. Ne-ah'-ga, A Neck 

22 Ne-ah'-ga. Indian village of the 18th century at the mouth of Niagara 

river 

23 Tuscarora village. Ga'-a-no-geh, On the Mountain 

24 Oak Orchard creek. Da-ge-a'-no-ga-unt, Two Sticks coming together 

25 Tonawanda Indian village. Ta'-na-wun-da, Swift Water 

26 Bend Indian village on the Allegany river. Da'-u-de-hok-to, At the 

Bend 
2"] Genesee river. Gen-nis'-he-yo, Beautiful Valley 

28 Caneadea. Ga-o'-ya-de-o, Where the Heavens lean on the Earth, In- 

dian village 

29 Indian village of O-wa-is'-ki, Under the Bank§ 



HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 411 

30 Indian village of Gardow. Ga-da'-o, Bank in Front 

31 Several villages were clustered here. O-ha-di, Crowding the Bank, was a 

Tuscarora village; Squakie Hill, or Da-yo'-it-ga-o, Where the River 
Comes out of the Hills, was a Seneca town, as were the following. 
Ga-neh'-da-on-tweh, Where Hemlock was Spilled, was on the site of 
Moscow. Little Beard's town was De-o-nun'-da-ga-a, Where the 
Hill is Near. Big Tree village was Ga-un-do'-wa-na, Big Tree. 
So-no'-jo-wau-ga, or Big Kettle, was at Mount Morris. 

32 Ga-no'-wau-ges, Fetid Waters, Indian village near Avon Springs 

S3 Former Indian village at Dansville. Ga-nus'-ga-go, Among the Milkweed 

34 Village near Livonia. De-o'-de-sote, The Spring. A little northeast 

was the village of Ska-hase'-ga-o, Once a Long Creek, near Lima. 

35 Early village of Da-yo'-de-hok-to, A Bended Creek, on Honeoye creek 

36 Early village at Victor. Ga-o'-sa-ga-o, In the Basswood Country 

37 Village at Canandaigua. Ga'-nun-da-gwa, Place chosen for a Settlement 

38 Supposed village near Naples. Nun'-da-wa-o, Great Hill 

39 Village at Kashong, west of Seneca lake, Gar-naw-quash 

40 Village near Geneva. Ga-nun'-da-sa-ga, New Settlement village. 

Others unnoticed. 

41 Tioga Point. Ta-yo'-ga, At the Forks, a village of Delawares 

42 Elmira. Skwe'-do-a, Great Plain. Many villages in this region 

43 Owego. Ah-wa'-ga, Where the Valley widens, abandoned village. 

Morgan hardly notes those on the Susquehanna. 

44 Village near Ithaca. Ne-o'-dak-he-at, At the End of the Lake 

45 Village at Canoga. Ga-no'-geh, Oil on the Water 

46 Waterloo. Skoi'-yase, Place of Whortleberries; usually interpreted 

Long Falls 

47 Village at Union Springs. Ge-wa'-ga, Promontory Running out 

48 Two others south of this: Gwa-u-gweh, At the Mucky Land, and 

Ga-ya'-ga-an'-ha, Inclined downward. There were others. 

49 Oswego or Swa-geh river, Flowing out 

50 Four Onondaga villages are given and are not well located. Gis-twe- 

ah'-na, Little Man, at Onondaga Valley; Onondaga Castle, Ka-na-ta- 
go'-wa, Big Village, at the council house; Nun-ta-sa'-sis, Going 
Partly round a Hill, are three of these. 

51 Tu-e-a-das'-so, Hemlock Knots in the Water, was farther east. 

52 Ga-no'-a-lo'-hale, Head on a Pole, now Oneida Castle 

53 Ga-na'-doque, Empty Village, an abandoned village near the last 

54 A Stockbridge Indian village called Ah-gote'-sa-ga-nage. Old Oneida 

and the Tuscarora towns are not mentioned. 

55 Ta-ga'-soke, Forked like a Spear, Indian village on Fish creek 

56 A village on the site of Camden was Ho-sta-yun'-twa. 

57 The portage at Rome was called Da-ya'-hoo-wa'-quat, Carrying Place ; 

and this name was given to the Mohawk river above Herkimer. 

58 West Canada creek. Te-ah-o'-ge, At the Forks, applied to the Mohawk 

59 Village in Danube. Ga-ne'-ga-ha'-ga, Possessor of the Flint. Really 

the later Canajoharie. 

60 Fonda. Indian village of Ga-na-wa'-da, On the Rapids 

61 Fort Hunter. Indian village of Te-ah'-ton-ta-lo-ga, Two Streams 

meeting 



412 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 

62 Middle Mohawk castle at Fort Plain. Can-a-jo-hi'-e, Washing the 

Basin 

63 Johnstown. Ko-la-ne'-ka, Indian Superintendent 

64 Schenectady. O-no-a-la-gone'-na, In the Head 

65 Albany. Ska'-neh-ta'-de, Beyond the Openings 

66 Village north of Binghamton. O-che-nang', Bull Thistles. 

67 Susquehanna river. Ga'-wa-no-wa'-na-neh, Great Island River 

68 Delaware river. Ska-hun-do'-wa, In the Plains 

69 Ticonderoga. Je-hone-ta-lo'-ga, Noisy 

70 Lake Champlain or O-ne-a-da'-lote 

71 Little Salmon creek. Ga-nun-ta-sko'-na, Large Bark 

72 Salmon river. Ga-hen-wa'-ga, A Creek 

73 Sandy creek. Te-ka'-da-o-ga'-he, Sloping Banks 

74 Black river. Ka-hu-ah'-go, Great or Wide River. This is erroneously 

printed Ka-me-par-go in Squier's Antiquities of New York. 

75 Indian river. O-je'-quack, Nut River 

76 Oswegatchie, or O'-swa-gatch river 

77 St Regis. Ah-qua-sos'-ne, Partridges drumming 



4 J 4 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 10 

Part of the Dutch figurative chart annexed to the memorial of Aug. 18, 
1616, which was made from the map of 1614, and accurately copied for the 
Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, 
volume 1. They are the earliest maps we have of the interior of New York 
and are remarkable for giving the two divisions of the Five Nations always 
made by the Dutch; those of the Maquas or Mohawks and the Senecas. 
The maps are based on the reports of some Dutchmen, carried as captives 
into the interior and afterward ransomed 



State Museum 



Plate 10 







From Dutch map, 1616 



4 X 6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE ii 

Champlain's sketch of the battle near Ticonderoga, July 30, 1609. The 
letters refer to his key. The view places the Iroquois north of his party, 
and has but a moderate value, though something may be learned from it. 
One Iroquois shield appears, but no other defensive armor. Most draw 
the bow with the right hand, but some with the left. The canoes are by 
no means typical and the less said about perspective the better. The picture 
appeared in the edition of 1613 with this key. A (wanting), the fort; 
B, enemy; C, oak bark canoes of the enemy, holding 10, 15 or 18 men 
each ; D, two chiefs who were killed ; E, an enemy wounded by Champlain's 
musket; F (wanting), Champlain; G (wanting), two musketeers; H, canoes 
of the allies, Montagnais, Ochastaiguins and Algonquins, who are above; 
I (also on the), birch bark canoes of the allies; K (wanting), woods. 




a. 
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41 8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 12 

Champlain's attack on an Iroquois fort, October 1615. The fort extended 
into the shallow pond where canoes could not be used. The spot was satis- 
fatorily identified by Gen. John S. Clark of Auburn, many years ago, and 
is in the Oneida territory about 3 miles east of Perryville. It was probably 
soon abandoned for a stronger position nor does it seem to have been long 
occupied, but a number of open caches may be seen on the higher lands not 
far off. A careful plan of the place may be seen in the bulletin on tht 
Aboriginal Occupation of New York. In the picture much must be allowed 
for the fancy of the artist. 



State Museum 



Plate 12 




The Onondaga Fort 

[After Champlain's sketch] 



420 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 13 

Lahontan's view of De la Barre's council at La Famine (Salmon River 
N. Y.) September 1684. An Onondaga chief is speaking, who is the famous 
orator usually called Garangula. The spot is at the mouth of Salmon. river 
in Oswego county, on the north side, and represents fairly well the con- 
ditions of the picture. The place received its name in 1656 from the famished 
condition of the French colonists when they reached it. It had been intended 
for their habitation but the plan was changed. As a landing place on Lake 
Ontario it had long been a notable place of resort, and was the terminus 
of the beaver land trust deed. A fine picture of this council adorns the 
Flower Memorial Library building in Watertown, in which Lahontan's plan 
is followed in a general way. This was the Great La Famine river. A 
smaller stream farther west had the prefix of little. 



State Museum 




Lahontan's view of De la Barre's council at La Famine September, 1684 



4 22 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 14 

Communion plate presented by Queen Ann in 1712, " to her Indian Chappel 
of the Onondawgus," now in St Peter's Church, Albany N. Y. One of the 
cups was not in the set at first, but was supplied to conform to American 
usage. There was a supply of linen with this and the Mohawk set. The 
latter was long used in New York, but was taken to Canada at the close 
of the colonial period and divided between the two Mohawk settlements. Two 
pieces went to the Bay of Quinte and three to the Mohawks at Grand River. 
The inscription on the one retained at Albany reads : " The Gift of Her 
Majesty, Ann, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, 
and of their plantations in North America, Queen, to Her Indian Chappel 
of the Onondawgus." Each piece has centrally the British arms without 
supporters, with A on one side and R on the other. Each of the Onondaga 
flagons is 12^2 inches, and the cup is 4^2 inches across the top. The style 
is massive and simple. No date appears, but they were probably furnished 
not later than 1712. 




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4 2 4 . NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 15 

Sir William Johnson, sole Indian superintendent in colonial times. Died 
in 1774. He was born in Ireland in 1715, and came to America in 1738 to 
manage his uncle's estate, soon becoming prominent in Indian affairs. In 
1755 he was made a baronet for his services at Lake George. His published 
manuscript are voluminous, but a large collection in the New York State 
Library have not yet been published and are now being indexed. The plate 
is the best portrait accessible, but the Documentary History of the State 
of New York, 2:545, contains a good one published in 1756. An American 
soldier writing at Johnson Hall in 1776, said : " I had a view of Sir William 
Johnson's picture, which was curiously surrounded with all kinds of beads 
of Wampum, Indian curiosities, and trappings of Indian finery, which he had 
received in his treaties with the different Indian nations." 



State Museum 



Plate 15 




4^6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 16 

George Romney's picture of Joseph Brant, painted in England in 1776, for 
the Earl of Warwick. In that year other pictures were made. Ten years 
later his picture was painted in England for the Duke of Northumberland, 
and in 1805 one of the best was made by Mr Ezra Ames of Albany, and 
copied by Catlin for Stone's Life of Brant. It is the frontispiece of the 
second volume. There is a fine statue of the Mohawk chief in Brantford, 
Canada. Of his portraits Romney's is the finest known. 



State Museum 



Plate 16 




Joseph Brant 



428 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PLATE 17 

Monument to Red Jacket in Buffalo N. Y., unveiled June 22, 1891. Five 
Seneca chiefs were reinterred with him in 1884 and part of the headstones 
appear. Nine other Senecas were placed with them, but the names of these 
were unknown. There were imposing ceremonies under the auspices of the 
Buffalo Historical Society. In 1891 the monument was completed and un- 
veiled on Forest Lawn, the Hon. David F. Day, making the oration. Red 
Jacket died in 1830, and was supposed to be 78 years old. His earlier and 
later names appear on the pedestal. 



State Museum 



Plate 17 








Monument to Red Jacket, Buffalo N. Y, 



INDEX 



The superior figures tell the exact place on the page in ninths; e. g. 138 3 
means page 138 beginning in the third ninth of the page, i. e. about one third 
of the way down. 



Abenaki, see Abenaquiois. 
Abenaquiois, other names, 138 3 ; kill 

Mohawk ambassadors, 216 5 . 
Abenaquis, 40 captured, 270 1 . 
Abercrombie, defeated, 314 2 . 
Achiendase', 204 6 . 
Adarahta, 237 2 . 
Adario, stratagem, 235 s . 
Adirondacks, another name for Al- 

gonquins, 138 2 ; war with Iroquois, 

150 4 . 
Ad juste, burned, 365 s . 
Agariata, killed, 2i7 8 -i8 2 . 
Agaritkas, 137 8 , 256 s . 
Agents, 388°. 
Agnieronnons, 151 s , 179 s . 
Agniers. 159 4 . 
Agoianders, 158 9 . 
Agosagenens, 138 4 . 

Agreskoue', worship renounced, 220 3 . 
Agriculture of aborigines, 139 7 , 150 4 . 
Agwrondougwas, Peter, mentioned, 

347 s . 

Ahatsisteari, 184 5 . 

Ahookassongh, at council, 256*. 

Aireskoi, sacrifices to, 131 9 , 185 3 . 

Albany, fort built at, 175 1 ; first treaty 
between Iroquois and English, 2i6 a ; 
peace at, 221 7 ; aids Mohawks in 
rebuilding castle, 236*; councils at, 
236', 238 s , 242 s , 242 s , 252 1 , 253°, 254 s , 
256 1 , 260 9 , 264 1 , 264 7 , 268 8 , 269*, 269 s , 
277°, 285", 300 7 , 350 6 ; importance of 
holding, 239 s ; colonial congresses 
at, 243 s , 300 5 ; opposes Onondaga 
fort, 253 s ; Indian families employed 
at, 260°; Iroquois reception at, 
261 7 ; lodging houses at, 26s 2 ; mes- 
sengers to, 266 s ; French trade, 
303". 

Alden, Colonel, killed, 361 s . 



Aleout destroyed, 364 2 . 

Algonquins, territory of, 131 4 , 136 4 , 
138 5 ; language, 136 5 ; name and 
character, 137 9 ; compared with 
Iroquois, 142 7 ; treachery, 150°; war 
with Iroquois, 150 6 , 175 7 ; length of 
war with Iroquois, 174 2 ; proposed 
peace with Iroquois, 15 1 5 ; at found- 
ing of Montreal, 152 1 ; expulsion 
from Canada, 152^ 153 2 ; peace con- 
cluded with Iroquois, 174 2 , 188 3 ; 
alarmed, 181 5 ; story of Huron at- 
tack, 183 4 ; attacked by Iroquois, 
185 9 ;' fly, i86 G ; hunt with Mo- 
hawks, 189 1 ; treaty with Dutch, 
189 8 ; betrayed to Mohawks, 196 s ; 
of Ottawa river swept away, 197 2 ; 
defeated, 198 7 ; massacre of, 210 4 ; 
kill Garistarsia, 215 3 ; surprise On- 
ondagas, 249 s . 

Allegany reservation, 386 s ; number 
of Indians on, 38s 4 . 

Amherst, General, appointment, 316 3 . 

Andastes, territory, 131 5 , 136 2 ; harass 
Iroquois, 151 9 ; called Minquas, 
165 1 ; Hurons send deputies to, 
192°; message, 192 7 ; could not help 
Hurons, 194 3 ; peace with, 211 s ; 
party sent against, 214 7 ; hostilities, 
215 9 ; women burned at Oneida, 
219 3 ; downfall, 221 8 , 226 2 ; Mohawks 
preserve, 223 s ; war with Iroquois, 
245 s . See also Conestogas ; Min- 
quas ; Susquehannas. 

Andioura, speaker at Quebec, 200 2 . 

Andrews, Rev. William, mentioned, 
347 2 - 

Andros, Gov. Edmund, visits Mo- 
hawks, 223 4 ; aids in settling diffi- 
culty between Iroquois and Mary- 
land, 223 7 . 



43Q 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Andrus-town destroyed, 360 9 . 
Animals, stories of man's relations 

to, 142 2 . 
Annenraes, escape, 192 3 ; spared, 

192 8 ; death of, 201 , 203 2 . 
Annierronnons Iroquois, 183 s . 
Annies, 159 4 . 

Antouhonorons, 163 1 , 163 5 . 
Aontarisati, burned, 198 9 . 
Aquadaronde, sick, 242 7 . 
Aquanoschioni, 165 4 . 
Aquendero, speech at Onondaga, 

246 s , son poisoned, 252 s ; enter- 
tained by Schuyler, 255 1 . 
Argenson, Gov. d', landed at Quebec, 

210*. 
Arms and ammunition, demand for, 

202 8 . 
Ashpo, Samuel, mentioned, 348 1 . 
Assensing, council at, 317 4 . 
Assistaeronons, I39 1 . 
Atogoiiaekoiian, 210 5 . 
Atotarho?, 157 2 , 25s 1 . 
Attikamegues, attacked by Iroquois, 

2i 4 G . 
Attiwandaronks, 135 s . 
Auglaize, council at, 375 7 . 
Auriesville, shrine, 191 2 . 
Aurora, see Chonodote. 
Avaugour, Governor d', quoted, 215 2 . 
Avery, Rev. Henry, mentioned, 348 s . 
Avery, Rev. Peter, mentioned, 348 s . 

Baptisms, at Onondaga, 201 7 . 
Baptiste, Jean, mission to Onondaga, 

200 8 . 
Baptiste, Jean, baptism, 201 8 . 
Barclay, Rev. Henry, mission, 318 2 ; 

appointed catechist, 347 s . 
Barclay, Rev. Thomas, mentioned, 

347 1 - 
Barentsen, Peter, visit to Mohawks, 

I74 8 . 

Barlow, Colonel, on council at Al- 
bany, 35 i a - 

Baron, a Huron chief, 245 s ; settles 
near Albany, 249®. 

Barre, Governor de la, replaces 
Count Frontenac, 227 s ; letter of 
Louis 14 to, 230 s . 

Bartram, John, cited, 128 1 ; naturalist, 

282 T . 



Bateaux for English, 260 5 . 

Bayard, Colonel, on relations of Iro- 
quois to New York, 250 8 . 

Beauchamp, W. M., cited, 128 2 . 

Beaucour, attack on Iroquois, 240 5 . 

Beauharnois, Governor de, proposes 
building fort at Crown Point, 
274 s ; receives messages from On- 
ondagas, 275 s ; Indian name, 279*; 
raises Indian chiefs, 279°; council 
with Iroquois, 28o T , 286 s . 

Beaver land trust deed, 256 1 , 271 7 . 

Beaver trade at Albany, 253 s . 

Belletre, M. de, attack on German 
Flats, 313 6 . 

Bellomont, Governor, sends troops to 
Albany, 250 5 ; opinion of Iroquois, 
252 s ; council at Albany, 253 s ; 
quoted, 254 7 ; complains of Schuy- 
ler, 255 1 ; death, 256 1 . 

Belt, Old, mentioned, 31 I s , 312 2 , 316 s ; 
death, 330 3 . 

Beschefer, Father, mentioned, 217 6 . 

Big Flats burned, 36s 2 . 

Black Kettle, killed, 249 9 . 

Black Prince, see Tochanuntie. 

Blacksmiths, sent to Iroquois towns, 
237 7 , 294 2 , 304 9 ; desired by Onon- 
dagas, 238 s ; at Onondaga, 240 9 , 
258 6 , 279 2 ; desired by Senecas, 
264 4 ; in Seneca country, 266 s , 270 5 , 
280 9 , 290 2 . 

Blacksnake, Governor, story, 182 1 . 

Bleecker, Capt. John, sent to Onon- 
daga, 25 1 8 , 255 s , 263 s . 

Blew Bek, at Canada, 268 s . 

Bliss, Rev. Asher, on temperance 
societies, 381 8 . 

Bone pits, 141°. 

Boundary, partial arrangements for, 
327 s ; conference at Fort Stanwix, 
333 7 ', question settled, 334 1 ; sig- 
natures to the deed, 334 s ; colonial 
representatives present, 334*1 new, 
378 3 . 

Bounty on scalps, 245 s , 285 s , 288", 
306 5 , 3I3 4 . 

Bouquet, Colonel, defeats Indians, 
32 1 9 . 

Bourdon, ambassador to Mohawks, 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



431 



Boutroiiee, Mile, godmother to 
Garakontie', 221 2 . 

Bowl, game of, 141 8 . 

Boyd, Lieutenant, captured, 365°; tor- 
tured, 365'. 

Boyd, General, on bravery and hu- 
manity of Indians, 383 7 . 

Boyle, David, theory of origin of 
name Iroquois, 166 8 . 

Braddock, Iroquois at defeat of, 304 5 . 

Bradstreet, battle at Oswego Falls, 
308 6 . 

Brainerd, Rev. David, mentioned, 
347 7 - 

Brant, Joseph, education, 318 5 , 324 s ; 
interpreter of Rev. Mr Stuart, 339 s ; 
secretary to Guy Johnson, 350 3 ; in 
England, 35 1 7 , 37 2 7 ; principal 
Iroquois leader, 352 7 ; not at Battle 
of the Cedars, 352 s ; returns from 
England, 3S2 9 ; crosses the country, 
353 3 ; efforts to take him, 353 s ; per- 
sonal appearance, 354 1 ; at Una- 
dilla, 354 5 ; at Oswego, 355°, 368 2 ; 
attacks Cobleskill, 359 2 ; depreda- 
tions, near German Flats, 360 9 , 
369 s , 370 2 ; plans, 362 7 ; letter writ- 
ten before battle of Newtown, 364 s ; 
burns Harpersfield, 368*; attacks 
Canajoharie, 369 s ; invades Scho- 
harie valley, 369 s ; damage south of 
the Mohawk, 370*; in Canada, 371 8 ; 
visits western Indians, 372 7 ; ad- 
dress, to Congress, 373 1 ; and the 
Delawares, 373*; opposes Moravian 
Indians, 37 3 7 ; at Genesee country, 
375*; at Onondaga, 376*; at council 
at Onondaga village, 376 s ; deposed 
and restored, 379 s . 

Brant, Molly, mentioned, 352* ; takes 
refuge at Onondaga, 357 9 -58 1 ; let- 
ter, 361 8 . 

Brant- sero, theory of origin of word 
Iroquois, 166 8 . 

Brebeuf, Father Jean de, on Iroquois 
language, 136 8 ; visits Hurons, 177 4 , 
177 5 ; estimate of Hurons, i8o x ; 
visits Neutrals, 181 5 ; tortured, 
I95 5 . 



Brebeufs New Testament, recovery 

of, 202 8 . 
Bressani, Father, captured, 186 5 , 187 2 ; 

ransomed by Dutch, 186 5 ; tortured, 

187 5 . 
British, see English. 
Brodhead, Colonel, expedition, 367*. 
Brothertown Indians, 384*; number, 

384 6 . 

Brower, Jacob, killed at Oswego 
Falls, 274 2 . 

Brown, Colonel, killed, 369 s . 

Brule, Etienne, journey with Cham- 
plain, 169 8 ; sent to Andastes, 170 1 ; 
adventures, 171 1 . 

Bruyas, Jacques, cited, 128 3 ; on name 
of Mohawks, 159 3 ; on name of 
Iroquois league, 165*; at Oneida, 
219 1 ; at Onondaga, 252 9 -53 1 ; 
Iroquois ask for return of, 254*; 
on rewards, 389 9 . 

Buffalo, councils at, 375 9 , 379*, 382"; 
defense of, 383 7 . 

Buffalo Creek, village at, 374". 

Bull, Captain, prisoner, 325 s . 

Bunt, The, account of French forts, 
296 s ; reception to Kirkland, 
326 9 -27 1 ; at Iroquois council, 343 s ; 
retires from office, 344*. 

Burial, 141 5 . 

Burnet, Governor, plan to preserve 
Indian trade, 266 s ; council with 
Iroquois, 268 2 , 270 5 , 271 3 ; builds 
fort at Oswego, 272 2 . 

Buteux, Father Jacques, killed, 198 7 . 

Butler, Richard, mentioned, 372*. 

Butler, Walter, fights against French, 
288 2 ; depredations, 359 s , 361 6 ; de- 
feated and killed, 370 4 . 

Butler, Col. William, expedition, 
36i 4 . 

Butler, Lieut. Col. William, towns de- 
stroyed by, 366*. 

Butternuts burned, 361 8 . 

Cachointioni, Onondaga chief, 290'. 
Cadaraqni, founded, 221 9 . 
Cahaniaga, 224°. 

Callieres, M. de, invades Onondaga, 
247 s . 



43 2 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Calumet, 246 s , 262*, 269®, 280 3 , 312 1 . 

Cammerhoff, Frederick, cited, 128*; 
at Onondaga council, 144 3 ; at 
Onondaga, 294 s ; death, 295 s . 

Campbell, Mrs, adopted by Senecas, 
36i 9 . 

Campbell, William W., cited, 128*. 

Canada, Iroquois traces in, 133 4 , 149 6 ; 
exodus of Mohawks from, 152*; 
temporary subjection to English, 
175 7 ; ravages in, in 1661, 2ii 9 -i2 1 ; 
missions in, 220 5 , 224 s , 267 s ; pro- 
posed plan to destroy Iroquois, 
234 s ; failure of English expedi- 
tion against, 237 s ; expedition 
against, 239 s ; overrun by Iroquois, 
240 7 ; Onondaga peace embassy, 
249 s ; beaver land trust deed in, 
256 s ; Iroquois embassy to, 268 s ; 
land troubles, 379 s . See also 
French. 

Canadian Indians, war with, 178 3 ; 
successful in canoe fights, 180 9 ; de- 
feat on the Ottawa, 211 1 ; go to 
war, 262*; desert French, 316 8 . 
See also French Iroquois. 

Canadian Praying Indians, 243 s , 253 s . 
See also Caughnawagas. 

Canagora, 224 s , 224 s . 

Canajoharie, fortified, 288* ; attacked 
by Brant, 369°; council at, 315 3 . 

Canajorha, 224 s . 

Canandaigua, partly burned, 365". 

Canaseraga, 297*. 

Canassatego, tale of man's creation, 
132 7 ; speaks for Moravians in coun- 
cil, 144 4 ; on Susquehanna lands, 
277 s ; speaker at Philadelphia, 281 4 ; 
on value of lands, 281 7 ; prominent 
in councils, 282 s ; described, 283 s ; 
death, 294 s , 295 s . 

Caniahaga, Far Indians settle at, 
295 9 - 

Canienga, 159*. 

Canisteo, burned, 326*. 

Cannehoot, 237 2 . 

Cannibalism, of western Indians, 
233*; of Mohawks, 159 8 , 241 7 . 

Canoenada, 224 s . 



Canoes, of elm bark, I40 T ; as ladders, 
203 7 ; for English, 260 8 ; and canoe 
fights, 180 8 . 

Canonicus, killed, 223°. 

Canoomakers, 171 7 . 

Capitanasses, 171 8 . 

Captives, adopted, 142 8 ; treatment of, 
178 9 , 213 3 , 2 3 2 6 , 239 s , 246 s , 2 4 7 9 -48 3 , 
261 9 ; returned, 254 s , 255 s , 318 8 , 326"; 
exchange of, 292 7 . 

Carantouanis, 163 2 . 

Carheil, Father fitienne, resumed 
work among Cayugas, . 219 2 ; in 
charge of Cayuga mission, 221 4 ; 
driven from Cayuga, 228 2 . 

Carleton, conduct, 357 . 

Carolina Indians, 263 7 . 

Carrington, Henry B., cited, 128 5 ; 
report on Iroquois, 385 1 , 387 3 -9i 2 . 

Cartier, Jacques, finds Iroquois in 
Canada, 149 . 

Carundowana, killed, 275 7 . 

Castesh, Seneca chief, 33 1 1 . 

Catawbas, termed Flatheads, 139 3 ; 
branches, 139 4 ; war with Iroquois, 
265 3 , 284 7 ; part adopted, 265*; killed 
by Iroquois, 277 s ; attacked by 
Iroquois, 278*; peace with Iroquois, 
280 2 , 280 6 , 295 s ; war with Senecas, 
28 1 1 , 293°; projected treaty, 284 s ; 
character, 284 9 -85 1 ; fight against 
Senecas and Cayugas, 312 3 . 

Catharine's Town destroyed, 36s 2 . 

Cattaraugus reservation, 386 s ; num- 
ber of Indians on, 385*. 

Caughnawaga, 225 1 . 

Caughnawagas, carried off, 239 s ; 
treaty with Iroquois, 280 2 ; sent to 
Iroquois, 298 s ; French trade, 303 2 ; 
would desert French, 316 8 ; num- 
ber, 324 s ; in Canada, 351 9 . See also 
Canadian Praying Indians. 

Cayonhage, fort at, 234*. 

Cayuga Castle destroyed, 366 s . 

Cayugas, origin, 133 2 , 134 6 , 135*; 
clans, 144 9 ; manner of advent, 147 3 ; 
sachems, 154 9 , 158*; early name, 
162 2 , 179 6 ; territory, 162 3 ; meaning 
of name, 162 4 ; council name, 162 6 ; 
symbols, 162 7 , 164 3 , 339 1 ; younger 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



433 



brother, 164 6 ; mission among, 208 s ; 
peace proposals, 212 4 ; villages 
north of Lake Ontario, 219 2 ; num- 
bers, 210 9 , 224 7 , 277 2 , 291 2 , 324 s , 384 s , 
385 s ; towns, 224 7 ; Susquehanna 
lands, 229 s , 267 s , 272*; proposals to 
Governor Howard of Virginia and 
Governor Dongan, 231 1 ; war with 
Miamis, 245 s ; send messenger to 
French, 25 1 5 ; losses, 252 s ; re- 
turned prisoners, 255°; council 
at Pennsylvania, 269"; offer to sell 
lands, 272*; order Shawnees to re- 
turn east, 274 s ; chief killed at 
Oswego Falls, 275"; refuse to aid 
English, 290 8 ; neutral, 293®, 310 9 ; 
at Oswegatchie, 300 4 ; at Quebec, 
302 4 ; at Niagara, 309 6 ; come to 
Montreal, 309 9 ; come to Fort 
Johnson, 311 2 ; conference with 
Cherokee chiefs, 31 1 6 ; fight against 
Catawbas and English, 312 5 ; coun- 
cil at Easton, 318 ; councils with 
Johnson, 335 s , 349 s ; towns burned, 
365 s ; number employed by English, 
371 2 ; reservation acknowledged, 
378 s ; land sales, 379*. 

Cedars, battle of, 352 s . 

Chamberlain, Theophilus, mentioned, 
348 1 . 

Champlain, Samuel de, cited, 128 5 , 
I33 5 , I5i 5 , 167 9 , 180 1 ; mentioned, 
135 3 ; finds only Algonquins on St 
Lawrence in 1603, 150 3 ; on re- 
movals of Hurons and Senecas, 
161 8 ; on Entouhonorons, 162 7 ; use 
of name Iroquois, 165 8 ; expedition 
of 1609, i68 G ; first battle with Mo- 
hawks, i68 9 -69 2 ; battle of 1610, 
169 5 ; visits Hurons, 169 7 ; invasion 
of 1615, 169 8 ; route, 170 2 ; siege, 
i7o T ; retreat, i7o 9 -7i 1 ; among the 
Hurons, 171 3 ; plan to seize 
Iroquois town, 175 8 ; Champlain's 
map of 1632, explanation of, 394 1 . 

Chapel built, 204 7 . 

Chapin, General, mentioned, 376°. 

Chaplains for garrisons at Onon- j 
daga and Oneida, 305 2 . 



Charlevoix, P. F. X. de, cited, 128 5 ; 
on Iroquois Turtle clan, 146 4 ; on 
origin of Iroquois war, 150 8 ; on 
superiority of Iroquois in war, 
1 5 1 1 ; on symbols, 164 3 ; on Iroquois 
name, 165 7 ; on complaints of 
Montmagny, 183 9 ; on Neutrals, 
197 3 ; story of Le Moyne, 202 4 ; on 
La Famine, 206 3 ; on Jesuits' house 
on Onondaga lake, 207 6 ; on pun- 
ishment for murder of Frenchmen, 
21/; on proposed intercourse with 
Ottawas, 231 7 ; on La Grande 
Gueule, 234 s ; on Iroquois in 
Canada, 240 7 ; on character of 
Frontenac, 24S 5 ; on failure of 
Frontenac's plans, 248 7 ; on Mo- 
hawks flattered by French and 
English, 25o 9 -5i 2 ; on Garakontie', 
257 2 - 

Charlevoix's map of 1745, explana- 
tion of, 404 1 . 

Chasy, Sieur de, killed, 217 7 . 

Chaumonot, Father Joseph, visits 
Neutrals, 181 5 ; journey to Onon- 
daga, 204 3 ; winter at Onondaga, 
205 s ; visits Senecas and Oneidas, 
208 s . 

Chauvignerie, at Onondaga, 262 s , 
288 s ; goes to Senecas, 267 s ; at 
Onondaga and Oswego, 273 s ; re- 
port on New York and Canadian 
Iroquois, 276 s ; forms a band 
against English, 309°. 

Cheahogah, 340 8 . 

Chemung, towns burned on, 326 s . 

Chemung burned, 3641 

Chenango, Indians from, 349 s . 

Cherokees, 136 3 , 139*; other names, 
T 39 6 ; peace with Iroquois, 280", 
280 6 , 312 2 , 332 9 ; peace deputies, 
^7f, 336 s ; war with French In- 
dians, 278 s ; kill Iroquois, 297"; war 
parties against, 297 s ; joined the 
English, 309 4 ; chiefs, council with 
Johnson, 31 1°; at Johnson Hall, 
331°. 

Cherry valley, Campbell house forti- 
fied at, 353* ; destroyed, 361 s ; 
depredations at, 370". 



434 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Chew, Joseph, on missionary work, 
336 s ; Indian name, 344 1 . 

Chickasaws, covenant with Iroquois, 
280 9 . 

Chickataubutt, killed, 219 6 . 

Chictaghicks, 138 8 . 

Chiefs, see Sachems. 

Chippewa, battle of, 383 s . 

Chippewas, other names, 138 9 . See 
also Far Indians. 

Choctaws, termed Flatheads, 13c/; 
covenant with Iroquois, 280 6 . 

Choharo, burned, 366*. 

Chonodote, destroyed, 366 s . 

Christians, Henry, commandant of 
fort at Albany, 175 2 . 

Churches, 391 8 . 

Citizenship, 388 s , 391 1 . 

Claese, Lawrence, mentioned, 266*. 

Clans, Iroquois, 134 2 , I44 8 -47 1 . 

Clark, J. V. H., cited, 128 6 ; on origin 
of Oneidas, 134 4 ; on Onondaga 
clans, 145 3 ; on date of Iroquois 
league, 149 3 ; Hiawatha legend, 
155 6 ; on La Fort being chosen 
leader, 383 9 . 

Clark, John S., cited, 128 6 , 219 7 . 

Clarke, Lieutenant Governor, con- 
ference at Albany, 277 s ; prevents 
establishment of French post, 278 s ; 
council with Iroquois, 278 7 , 280 4 . 

Claus, Colonel, appointed commander 
of Indians in Canada, 355 1 ; opinion 
of St Leger, 357*. 

Clause, Daniel, translates Johnson's 
speech, 303 3 . 

Clausen, sent to Onondaga, 263 s . 

Clear Sky, mentioned, 376 7 . 

Clinton, Governor, councils, 284 s , 
288*, 289 s ; asks Indians to fight, 
28 5 T . 

Clinton, General, route of, 363 9 -64 6 . 

Cobleskill, attack on, 359 s , 370 3 . 

Colden, Cadwallader, cited, 128 7 , 138 2 ; 
on eloquence of Iroquois, 143 2 ; on 
origin of Iroquois war, 150 3 ; on 
success of Iroquois in war, 150 9 ; 
on fear of Mohawks, 180 8 ; on 
slaves, 201 7 ; on treaty between 
Iroquois and English, 216 7 ; on 
punishment for murder of French- 



men, 218 2 ; on Dekanissora, 225 s , 
243 s ; on De la Barre's expedition, 
229 s ; on collection of tribute, 231 5 ; 
on council at Onondaga, 236 7 ; on 
settlement at Schaghticoke, 237 7 ; 
on Mohawks attacked by French, 
241 8 ; on cannibalism of Mohawks, 
241 7 ; on presents to Indians, 242 s ; 
on council at Albany, 243 s ; on 
death of Black Kettle, 250 s ; papers 
helped founding of Oswego, 270 8 ; 
account of Sir William Johnson, 
286 s ; on disputes between Mohawks 
and the other Five Nations, 286 s - 
87 s ; at Iroquois council, 287 s ; on 
war dance of Iroquois, 287 s ; plans, 

324 9 -25 x . 

Colonial unity, need of, 243 s . 

Colonies, Iroquois names, 269 3 . 

Comet, terrors of, 212 2 . 

Communion sets for Indians, 262 1 . 

Conestoga, council, 260 2 ; lands sur- 
rendered, 268 9 . 

Conestogas, at war with Tuscaroras, 
262 s ; sell land, 267 s ; old names, 
269 1 ; controlled by Iroquois, 269 s ; 
killed, 3 25 8 . 

Conesus, burned, 365 s . 

Congress, wishes Indian aid, 352 s - 
53 1 ; address sent to, 373 1 - 

Congress of seven colonies in Al- 
bany, 300 . 

Connaughtoora, council at Williams- 
burg, 265*. 

Connecticut, represented at council at 
Albany, 243 s ; Iroquois deputies to, 
320 3 ; land sale, 302 2 ; land deed, 
302 7 . 

Conover, George S., cited, 128 7 ; on 
derivation of name Seneca, 163 6 . 

Conoys, 139 5 . 

Coreorgonel, 366 s . 

Corlaer, see Van Curler. 

Cornplanter, speech, 367 8 -68 x ; joins 
Sir John Johnson in Schoharie 
valley, 369 s ; brought about treaty 
of 1784, 372 s ; in Philadelphia, 373* J 
attends council at Auglaize, 375 7 ; 
sells land, 377*1 thought war 
certain, 377*. 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



435 



Cornplanter reservation, 386 s . 

Cornplanter Senecas, in Pennsyl- 
vania, number, 384*. 

Coronelli's map of 1688, 181 7 ; ex- 
planation of, 400 1 . 

Cosby, Governor, conference with Six 
Nations, 275*. 

Council, see Grand Council. 

Council fire removed, 303 3 . 

Council name of each nation, 159 9 ; 
of Oneidas, 161 1 ; of Onondagas, 
161 7 ; of Cayugas, 162 6 ; of Senecas, 
163 8 ; of Tuscaroras, 164 2 . 

Councils with Iroquois, see Iroquois, 
councils with. 

Courcelle, Governor de, goes against 
Mohawks, 217 3 ; expedition to Fort 
St Anne, 218 4 ; godfather to Gara- 
kontie', 221 2 ; action on murder of 
Indians in 1670, 221 5 ; ascends the 
river to Lake Ontario, 221 6 ; forbids 
war between Senecas and Ottawas, 
22 1 6 . 

Coursey, Colonel, ambassador from 
Maryland to Indians, 224*. 

Couture, William, killed an Indian 
chief, 184 2 ; mentioned, 188 3 . 

Coyne, James H^, cited, 128 8 . 

Creative myths, 132 2 . 

Creeks, covenant with Iroquois, 280 8 . 

Cresap, Colonel, murder of Logan's 
family, 342 s . 

Creuxius's chart of the Huron 
country, with the same map, ex- 
planation of, 398 8 -99 2 - 

Creuxius's map of 1660, explanation 
of, 398 1 . 

Crimes, few, 387 s . 

Croghan, George, council at Logs- 
town, 296 7 ; on western Indians, 
300 2 ; goes to Pennsylvania, 312 8 ; 
meets Pontiac, 327 s . 

Crosby, Aaron, mentioned, 348 s . 

Crown Point, English fort planned 
at, 260 4 ; Fort St Frederick at, 274 s ; 
fight near, 288 s . 

Currietown, depredations at, 370 2 . 

Cusick, Albert, on council name of 
Mohawks, 160 1 ; on meaning of 
name Cayugas, 162 5 . 



Cusick, David, cited, 128 8 ; creative 
myth, 132 5 ; story of national 
origin, I32 9 ~33 2 ; on story-telling, 
142 3 ; on tribes, 146 3 ; chronology, 
147 9 ; says nothing of Hiawatha, 
156 2 ; on first ruler, 157 2 ; enu- 
merated 13 successive Atotarhos, 
157 4 ; on council name of the Mo- 
hawks, 159 9 ; on meaning of name 
Cayugas, 162 4 ; on council name of 
Senecas, 163 8 ; on name of Iro- 
quois, 165 5 ; on Erie origin, 182 2 ; 
on primitive name of Lake Erie, 
182 4 . 

Cusick, Rev. James, founded a tem- 
perance society, 381 7 . 

Customs, changing, 338 4 . 

Dablon, Father Claude, journey to 
Onondaga, 204 3 ; on building of 
chapel, 204 7 ; winter at Onondaga, 
205 6 ; return to Montreal, 205 7 . 

Daillon, De la Roche, visits Neutrals, 

I77 3 , I77 7 - 
Dakayenensese, Isaac, mentioned, 

347 8 . 

Dalton, Captain, mentioned, 371 2 . 

Dances, 141 9 . 

Daniel, Antoine, visit to Hurons, 
177 5 ; killed, 194 5 . 

Davost, visit to Hurons, 177 3 . 

Dawson, Sir J. W., cited, 128 9 . 

Dayagoughderesesh, 340 8 . 

Dean, James, cited, 128 9 ; story of 
origin, 132 5 ; letter, 360 2 . 

Dearborn, Lieut. Col. Henry, houses 
destroyed by, 366 1 . 

De Celoron, goes to Ohio, 292*. 

Dehoriskanadia, 366". 

Dekanawidah, 156 7 . 

Dekanissora, eloquence, 143 7 , 225 s ; 
described, 225 4 ; speaker, 225 4 , 243 2 , 
261 8 ; intends to fight the Illinois, 
227 1 ; at Quebec, 243 s ; at council at 
Albany, 243"; proposes exchange of 
prisoners, 251 8 ; goes to Kaneenda, 
255 4 ; allows captives to return, 
255 5 ; on Indian method of fighting, 
262 s ; singing war song, 263 2 ; re- 
turns to Onondaga, 263 s ; returns 
English hatchet, 264 7 . 



43 6 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



De la Barre, at La Famine, 228 s ; 
displaced, 230 7 . 

De la Chauvignerie, at Onondaga, 
260 7 . 

De Laet, tales of fort at Albany, 175 1 . 

Delancey, Gov. James, succeeds Os- 
borne, 298 2 ; says commander of 
fort at Onondaga might be made a 
sachem, 301 3 . 

De la Potherie, Bacqueville, cited, 
129 1 , 150 3 . 

Delaware, lands on sold, 276*. 

Delaware country raided, 359*. 

Delaware name of Senecas, 163 8 . 

Delawares, tradition of national 
origin, 132 8 ; early homes, 138 5 ; 
character, 244 1 ; conference in 
Philadelphia, 244 s ; tributary to 
Iroquois, 259®, 262 5 ; controlled by 
Iroquois, 269*, 273 s ; called women, 
272 s , 306 7 ; lands purchased from, 
276 s ; reproved by Iroquois for sell- 
ing lands, 28i 9 -82*; hostile to Iro- 
quois, 304 6 ; deserters among, 306 1 ; 
side with French, 306 4 ; war with 
Pennsylvania, 306 4 ; reproved, 306 7 ; 
at Onondaga lake council, 307 9 ; 
treaty with Iroquois, 308 3 ; con- 
ference with Johnson, 308 4 , 327 s ; 
declared men, 308 4 , 380 1 ; in Ohio 
trouble with French, 312 8 ; council 
at Easton, 314 4 ; Iroquois go 
against, 325 7 ; prisoners, 325 s ; 
towns in New York destroyed, 
326 s ; fly to Shawnees, 326°; Brant 
opposes, 373°. 

Dellius, Dominie, on name of Iro- 
quois, 165 3 ; sent to Canada, 250 6 ; 
grant vacated, 252 s ; among the 
Mohawks, 346 s . 

De Longueuil, proposals to Onon- 
dagas and Oneidas, 260 8 ; at Onon- 
daga, 261 1 , 264 s ; leaves Onondaga, 
261 2 ; adopted by Onondagas, 267 7 ; 
succeeds De la Jonquiere, 297 2 . 

De Nonville, on French colony at 
Onondaga lake, 207 6 , 208 3 ; displaces 
De la Barre, 230 8 ; letters to Don- 
gan, 232 s ; treachery, 232 s ; sends 



prisoners to France, 232 7 ; invasion, 
232"; lands at Irondequoit bay, 
233 s ; takes possession of Seneca 
villages, 233 s . 

De Peyster, J. Watts, cited, 129 1 . 

Deserters, 258 s ; from Oswego, 305 9 . 

De Tonty, wounded, 226 1 ; retained 
Indian presents, 258 7 . 

Detroit, investment of, 320 9 -2i\ 

Detroit river, council held on, 373 1 . 

De Vaudreuil, destroys Oneida, 248 s . 

De Vries, David Petersen, cited, 129 2 . 

Diaquanda, 336 s . 

Dieskau, Baron, captured, '303 9 . 

Diplomacy, 143 1 . 

Dish, game of, 141 8 . 

Dissatisfaction among Indians, 330 3 . 

Dollier with La Salle, 220 8 . 

Donehogawa mentioned, 390 3 . 

Dongan, Governor, mentioned, 229 7 ; 
action on Susquehanna lands, 229 s ; 
on importance of Iroquois, 231 4 ; 
letters to De Nonville, 232 1 ; on 
liquors among Indians, 232 s ; pay- 
ment for land grant, 276 s . 

Douw, Volkert, chosen firekeeper, 

35i 7 . 

Dowaganhaes, other names, 138 6 ; kill 
Senecas, 252 s ; covenant with 
English, 260 9 . See also Ottawas. 

Dress, 140 9 . 

Dugouts, 140 s . 

Dunlap, William, cited, 129 2 ; Hi- 
awatha legend, 155 s . 

Du Quesne, on Abbe Picquet, 292 1 ; 
council with Iroquois, 302 3 . 

Dutch, trade with Iroquois, 171 6 , 177 9 ; 
maps of 1614 and 1616, 171 6 ; cap- 
tives released, 172 s ; treaty at 
Tawasentha, 172 s ; attack Mohawks, 
174 5 ; defeated by Mohawks, 174 8 ; 
massacre of Indians by, 185 2 ; treaty 
with Mohawks and Algonquins, 
189 8 ; give presents to Mohawks, 
198 4 ; Indian troubles, 205 1 ; Mo- 
hawk alliance, 205 2 , 210 6 , 222*; 
treatment of Indians, 236 s ; rela- 
tions to Iroquois, 250 8 . 

Dutch Bastard, party led by, 196 7 , 
217 8 . 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROOUOIS 



437 



Earthenware, 140 8 . 

Earthquake, terrors of, 212 2 . 

East Cayuga destroyed, 366*. 

Eastern Indians, 138 3 . 

Easton councils, 309 3 , 312 7 , 314*, 318 6 . 

Eau, Chevalier d', seized, 238 s ; escape, 
238*. 

Education of Indians, 318 4 , 319 5 , 323 s , 
326", 347 8 -48 9 , 389°; disappointing 
results, 348°. 

Eighteen Mile creek, Indian name, 
181 s ; boundary between Eries and 
Neutrals, 182 5 . 

Elkins, James, trader, 175 2 . 

Elmira, council at, 374 s . 

Eloquence of Iroquois, I43 1 . 

England, Indians taken to, 260°. 

English, take Canada, 175 s ; aid Min- 
quas, 214 3 ; treaties with Iroquois, 
216°, 240 9 , 250 s ; desirous of alliance 
with Ottawas, 230 8 ; treatment of 
Indians, 236°; attempt on Canada in 
1690, 237°; agents at Onondaga, 
238 2 , 251 2 , 263 s ; missions proposed, 
238 s ; missionaries to Iroquois 
necessary, 257 1 ; expedition against 
French, 239*; build Onondaga fort, 
242 s ; protection for Iroquois, 250 5 ; 
relations to Iroquois, 250 7 ; Iroquois 
canoes for, 260 1 ; council with Iro- 
quois, 260 9 , 270 3 ; embassy to 
Senecas, 266 s ; post at Irondequoit, 
268*; at Oswego Falls, 271 1 ; oppose 
French trading house, 273 s - 74 1 ; 
protection extended, 278 s ; ani- 
mosity toward, 285 s ; give scalp 
bounty, 285 s ; invade Montreal, 
289*; traders, 293 s ; to live among 
Iroquois, 301 3 ; fight against Senecas 
and Cayugas, 312 5 ; occupy Illinois, 
327 s ; Indians employed by, 371 2 ; 
care of Indians near Buffalo, 374*; 
difficulties settled, 378 1 ; Iroquois 
declare war against, 383 s . 

English forts, proposed, 234*, 315 7 ; 
at Lake George and Crown Point, 
260 4 ; five abandoned, 305 6 ; Iro- 
quois wish certain abandoned, 323 7 . 

English language spoken by Iroquois, 



English scalp in cabin of Cayugas, 

310 4 . 
Ennikaragi, 138 7 . 
Entouhonorons, 135°, 159 7 , 162 7 . 
Eriehronon, 193 9 . 
Eries, territory, 131 5 , 136 2 ; name and 

territory 182 2 ; origin, 182 3 ; and 

Neutrals, boundary between, 182 5 ; 

account of, 193 9 ; war, 202 8 , 203 1 ; 

exact location, 202 9 ; chief town, 

204 3 . 

Esopus, new hostilities at, 215 7 . 
Esopus Indians, treaty, 211 s . 
Esther, Queen, 359 s , 360 7 , 375 1 . 
Estiaghicks, 138 9 . 
Etiquette, 142 . 
European ornaments, 152°. 
European trade, early, 153 2 . 
Evans, Lewis, geographer, 282*. 
Explanation of maps, 393-428. 
Eyendeegen, present at council with 
Munseys, 3I4 1 . 

Famine among Senecas, 281 . 

Far Indians, other names, 138"; at 

Albany, 258", 269 s ; invited to trade, 

268 s ; treachery, 275*; castles, 295 s . 

See also Mississagas ; Ojibwas. 
Farmer's Brother, mentioned, 379 s ; 

eloquence, 143 ; description, 382°. 
Feasting on enemies' flesh, 308 2 . 
Feasts, Iroquois, 141 s . 
Fire Nation, 139'. 
Fire keepers chosen, 351°. 
Flatheads, nations termed, 139 3 ; at 

war with Iroquois, 265 s ; war with 

Senecas, 268 7 , 281 1 ; send wampum 

to English, 288 7 . 
Fletcher, Governor, Indian name, 

242 s ; calls council, 243 s . 
Food of aborigines, 139 7 ; Mohawk 

ideas of, 241 9 . 
Forbes, Rev. Eli, mentioned, 348 1 . 
Fort Brewerton built, 316 9 . 
Fort Bull, destroyed, 305 8 . 
Fort Duquesne, French commander's 

comments on Six Nations, 313°; 

evacuated, 314 3 . 



43§ 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Fort Frontenac, founded, 221 9 ; 
abandoned, 227 s ; conference of De 
la Barre with Hotreouate', 228 s ; 60 
men seized and imprisoned, 232°; 
convoy of canoes surprised near, 
234 7 ; invested by 900 Iroquois, 235° ; 
decayed, 239 s ; restored, 243 7 , 246°; 
provisioning of, 252 s5 ; Ottawas at, 
258 s ; strengthened, 303 5 ; taken, 

3I4 2 . 

Fort Harmar, treaty of, 378 s . 

Fort Hunter flats conveyed to the 
king, 275 s . 

Fort Johnson, council at, 31 1 2 , 311°. 

Fort Levis, opposes English, 317 5 . 

Fort Orange, built, 174 6 ; fur trade, 
175 3 ; conference at, 205 3 . 

Fort Richelieu, burned, 191 9 . 

Fort St Frederick at Crown Point, 
274 5 . 

Fort Saratoga, destroyed, 286 2 . 

Fort Stanwix, boundary conference 
at, 333 7 l conference at, 350 1 ; in- 
vested, 355 s ; treaty of, 37i 9 - 

Fort Sullivan, 366 s . 

Fort Vercheres, attacked, 240 3 . 

Fort William Henry surrendered, 3 12 3 . 

Forts, 139 9 , 304 9 , 305 1 ; built by De 
Tracy, 216 8 ; English, 234*, 260 4 , 
3°5 8 , 3 I 5 7 > 323 7 ; contracts for build- 
ing, 262 1 ; French, forbidden by 
Iroquois, 29s 9 ; French, Indians fear 
building of, 320 5 ; destroyed by 
Webb, 309 1 . See also under names 
of places. 

Fowler, David, sent to teach at 
Oneida, 326 s . 

Fox Indians, territory, 139 3 ; propose 
joining Iroquois, 245 s ; wish to live 
with Senecas, 274 1 ; at war with 
Iroquois, 274 s . 

Franklin, Governor, Indian name, 

334 8 - 

Frederick, Charles, goes to Onondaga, 
299 9 . 

Freeman, Rev. Bernardus, work of, 
346 s . 

Fremin, Father Jacques, goes to the 
Mohawks, 2i8 9 -i9 1 ; goes to Onon- 
daga, 220 7 ; retired, 228 2 . 



French, power developing in Canada, 
176 5 ; Iroquois retaliate on, 178 5 ; 
attacked by Mohawks, 182 7 , 196 7 ; 
attacked by Iroquois, 185 9 , 21 1 2 , 
214 6 ; war with Iroquois, 191 3 , 210 3 , 
235 5 , 245 s , 283", 287"; ask Massa- 
chusetts for help, 192 2 ; asks alli- 
ance of Boston against Iroquois, 
198 5 ; grant of Onondaga lands, 
206 7 ; deaths, 208 9 ; plots against, 
209 1 ; prisoners restored to, 212 4 ; 
treaty with Iroquois, 217 2 , 218 9 , 
254*; hunters killed by Mohawks, 
217 7 ; claims to Iroquois lands, 218 7 , 
278*; claims to Ohio lands, 297 1 , 
297 s ; arbitration rejected, 221 1 ; in- 
vasion of Iroquois country under 
De la Barre, 227 s ; desertions of sol- 
diers, 230 9 ; under De Nonville, at- 
tack on Senecas, 233 2 ; plan for 
destroying Iroquois, 234 s ; alliance, 
refused, 2.37*; expedition against, 
239 s ; weakness of, 239 s ; attack 
Iroquois at Toniata, 240 3 ; attack 
Mohawks, 241 3 ; scalp bounty with- 
drawn, 245 s ; number invading 
Onondaga, 247 1 ; defeat Iroquois, 
248 7 ; killed by western Indians, 
249*; relations to Iroquois, 250 7 ; 
agents at Onondaga, 25 1 2 , 252 9 -53 x , 
260 7 , 261 1 ; prisoners brought back 
by Iroquois deputies, 254 s ; post at 
Irondequoit, 265 1 ; at Oswego Falls, 
267 s ; among Iroquois, 270 3 ; en- 
croachments on Iroquois, 271 6 ; pro- 
pose to destroy fort at Oswego, 
272 s ; voyageurs avoid Oswego, 
273*; post at bay of Cayugas, 273 s ; 
establishment of post prevented, 
278 s ; Onondaga embassy to, 278 s ; 
council with Iroquois, 286 s ; 
Iroquois divided on war with, 286 7 ; 
Walter Butler fights against, 288'; 
advance from Crown Point to Lake 
George, 288 s ; not allowed to live 
in Iroquois country, 290*; on the 
Ohio, 292 s ; activity, 293 1 ; influence 
in Onondaga, 294 s , 297 s ; Tanacha- 
risson sends warnings to, 299 s ; 
occupy Ticonderoga, 304 9 ; destroy 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



439 



Fort Bull, 305 6 ; deserted by Cana- 
dian Indians, 316 8 ; plans, 307 7 ; 
make Indians hostile, 320 7 . See 
also Canada. 

French belt, 344". 

French colony, at Onondaga lake, 
204 4 ; embarks from Quebec, 205 8 ; 
assailed by Mohawks, 205 9 ; hunger 
at La Famine, 206 2 ; relief at 
Oswego Falls, 206 4 ; reception at 
Onondaga lake, 206 5 ; preparations 
for flight, 209 3 ; escape from de- 
struction, 209 6 ; arrival at Montreal, 
209 8 . 

French flag, 280 3 . 

French fort attacked by Iroquois, 
184 3 ; at Onondaga, attempt to 
build, 261 2 ; at Niagara, 265 s ; for- 
bidden by Iroquois, 295 9 ; Indians 
fear building of, 320 5 . 

French Indians, attack Iroquois, 246 s ; 
war with Cherokees, 278 s ; inva- 
sions near Albany, 286*. See also 
Canadian Indians. 

French Iroquois, surrender prisoners, 
234 s ; losses, 240 8 ; embassy to, 251 4 ; 
fight against English, 288 1 ; refused 
to attack English at battle of Lake 
George, 304 8 ; with Montcalm, 312*; 
number, 384 9 . See also Canadian 
Indians. 

French settlement proposed by Mo- 
hawks, 182 8 ; place for, 202 3 . 

French trade, controlled by Hurons, 
181 7 ; plan to preserve, 266 s ; at 
Niagara and Frontenac, 276 s ; at 
Albany, 303 2 . 

Frey, Barent, 35a/ 3 . 

Frey, Henry, comes to Onondaga, 
2Q9 7 . 

Frontenac, Count, at Lake Ontario, 
221 8 ; council with Iroquois, 221 9 ; 
flattery, 222 1 ; council with Kiska- 
kons, Hurons and others, 227 1 ; 
replaced by Governor de la Barre, 
227 s ; becomes governor, 232 7 ; re- 
turn from France, 236 3 , 237 s ; treat- 
ment of captives, 240 1 ; plan to at- 
tack Albany, 239 1 ; council with 
Ottawas, 246 1 ; his force, 247 1 ; in- 



vades Onondaga, 247 2 ; route, 247 s ; 
rushes showing force arrayed 
against, 247*; camp, 247 s ; charac- 
ter, 248 s ; troubles with Onondagas, 
249 s , 250 1 ; death, 25 1 3 ; fur trade, 
276 s . 

Frontier posts, retained by British, 
372 9 . 

Frontier troubles, 341 9 . 

Fur trade, 192 1 , 258 3 ; at Fort 
Orange, 175 3 ; at Niagara and 
Frontenac, 276 s . 

Gachoos, 171 7 . 

Gachradodon, speech, 283 7 . 

Gage, Gen. Thomas, opinion of Pon- 
tiac, 325 9 . 

Gaghsegwarohare, 365 s . 

Gahronho, 215 8 . 

Gajukas, 162 3 . 

Gallatin, Albert, cited, 129 2 ; on 
Seneca word for south, 181 8 ; dis- 
agrees with Heckewelder, 244 s . 

Gallinee with La Salle, 220 8 . 

Games, 141 3 . 

Ganatisgoa, 297*. 

Ganawese, tribute to Onondagas, 259 s . 

Gandaouague', attack on, 219 5 ; pali- 
saded castle, 219 9 . 

Gandiaktena, Catharine, 220 5 . 

Ganeodiyo, mission of, 380 8 . 

Gannagaro, 233 5 . 

Gannondata, 233". 

Gannongarae, 233°. 

Gansevoort, Colonel, sent to Fort 
Stanwix, 367 1 . 

Ganuskago, Senecas from, 305 4 . 

Ganyadariyo, 156 9 . 

Garakontie', 200 7 , 204 5 ; frees French 
prisoner, 200 6 ; favors, French, 209 2 ; 
French cared for by, 210 4 ; kind- 
ness to captives, 213 3 ; rank and 
name, 213 4 ; prepares another peace 
embassy, 216 3 ; baptized and con- 
firmed, 221 1 ; speaks before Count 
Frontenac, 221 9 ; character, 222°; 
death, 222 s . 

Garakontie' 2, speaks at Onondaga, 
228*; saves life of Jean de Lam- 
berville, 232 s ; death, 257 2 . 



44Q 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Garangula, see Hotreouate'. 

Garioye', son of sent to Montreal, 
243 3 - 

Garistarsia, killed, 215 5 . 

Gamier, Father Charles, killed, 196 4 . 

Gamier, Father Julien, goes to 
Onondaga, 219 2 , 220 7 ; retired, 228 2 ; 
sent to Onondagas and Senecas, 
255 T - 

Garnier's book of devotions, recov- 
ery of, 202 8 . 

Garonhiague', Oneida chief, 225 s ; 
killed, 232°. 

Garreau, Father, killed, 208 8 . 

Gaskonchiague', fort proposed at, 258*. 

Geghtigeghroones, 138 8 . 

Geneseo, destroyed, 365 s . 

Geneseo Indians, at conference, 320 5 ; 
hostile, 321 5 . 

Genherontatie', 235 s . 

Gentaieton, chief Erie town, 204 2 . 

George, (Seneca), speaker at Easton, 
318 6 ; speech, 335 s , 336 1 . 

George, King, asks Iroquois aid, 349 s . 

German Flats, council at, 321 6 , 329", 
336\ 350 6 ; destroyed, 3i3 B , 361 1 ; 
attacked, 368*. 

Gestures, 144 1 . 

Gibson, General, quoted, 377 s . 

Ginseng, 297", 328 s . 

Glen, Governor, complains of 
Senecas, 293 s . 

Glen, Johannes, jr, to reside at Onon- 
daga, 25 1°. 

Gooneaseahne, 165 5 . 

Gothsinquean, burned, 365 s . 

Goupil, Rene, killed by Mohawks, 
184 8 . 

Government, present, 390 4 . 

Goyogoh, 162 4 . 

Goyoguins, 162 3 ; symbols, 164 4 . 

Grain pits, 141 6 . 

Grand Council, representation in, 
146 8 ; vote by nations, IS4 9 -S5 1 - 

Granger, Erastus, council at Buffalo, 
382°. 

Grangula, see Hotreouate'. 

Great Tree, friendly, 360 3 ; in Phila- 
delphia, 373 s ', speech, 373 K V?\ 
death, 374 a < 



Greenhalgh, Wentworth, journey of, 

224*. 
Grenadier island, 317 7 . 
Griffon, launched by La Salle, 225 7 . 
Grinding meal, 141 2 . 
Guastarax, Seneca chief, 331 1 ; death, 

337 s ; bad belts sent by, 341 2 . 
Guns, use of, 151 9 ; bought by 

Iroquois, 177 9 . 
Gweugweh, 162 5 . 

Haaskouan, 234 s , 235 s . 

Haldimand, General, and Iroquois, 

363*- 

Hale, Horatio, cited, 129 3 ; on 
Iroquois language, 136 7 ; on 
Iroquois clans, 145 1 , 147 1 ; chro- 
nology, 147 9 ; on date of Iroquois 
league, 149 4 , 154 s ; Hiawatha 
legend, 156 3 ; on derivation of 
name Seneca, 163 7 ; on Mohawk 
name of Iroquois, 165 4 ; theory of 
origin of word Iroquois, 166 1 ; 
says Iroquois never burnt women, 
185 4 . 

Half King, see Tanacharisson. 

Half Town in Philadelphia, 373 s . 

Halsey, Francis W., cited, 129 3 , 354 1 . 

Hamilton, Governor, on Iroquois on 
branches of the Mississippi, 293 7 . 

Hancock, John, Indian name, 352*. 

Handsome Lake, mission of, 380 6 . 

Hanjost, death, 365^ 366 s . 

Hansen, Hendrick, ambassador to 
French, 251 s ; sent to Onondaga, 
263 s . 

Haratsion, killed, 234 s . 

Harmar, General, defeat, 373 s . 

Harper, Col. John, mentioned, 353 s . 

Harpersfield, full of refugees, 358 2 ; 
burned, 368*. 

Harris, John, on death of Tana- 
charisson, 301 8 . 

Hartley, Col. Thomas, operations, 
360 8 . 
J Hawley, Gideon, mentioned, 347 s . 

Hazard, Samuel, cited, 129 3 . 

Heckewelder, J. G. E., cited, 129 4 ; 
chronology, 148 8 ; on Delaware 
name of Senecas, 163 8 ; on peace- 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



441 



makers among the Indians, 244 s ; 
on character of the Delawares, 
244*. 

Hendrick, King, restored to office, 
266 1 ; speech, 2SS 1 ', invades Mon- 
treal, 280/; complains of land 
frauds, 300 s ; at Philadelphia, 302 7 ; 
killed, 302 s , 303 9 ; no power to give 
or sell land, 329/. 

Hennepin, Father Louis, cited, 129 4 ; 
among the Iroquois, 222 9 ; dic- 
tionary, 223 s ; visits Father Bruyas, 
223 s . 

Herkimer, Gen. Nicholas, interviews 
Brant, 354 ; advance of, 356 s . 

Heu, Father d', sent to Onondagas 
and Senecas, 255 s ; on Onondagas 
in Virginia, 258*; with Senecas, 

259 5 . 

Hewitt, J. N. B., theory of origin of 
name Iroquois, 166 5 . 

Hiawatha, suggested formation of 
league, 154 8 ; adopted by Mohawks, 
154 8 ; legends, I55 5 "56 9 ; white 
canoe, 166 8 . 

Hieroglyphics, 330A 

Hoahoaqua, mentioned, 383". 

Hochelaga, Cartier's visit to, 149 7 ; 
Montreal built on site of, 183 2 . 

Hodenosaunee, 165 4 . 

Honayewus, description of, 382\ 

Honeoye destroyed, 365 s . 

Honontonchionni, 165 6 . 

Horseheads, 366*. 

Hotinnonchiendi, 165 . 

Hotinnonsionni, 165 5 . 

Hotreouate', leads war party, 214 1 ; 
favors French, 228*; conference 
with De la Barre, 228 s ; speech, 
228 9 -29 6 ; name confused, 234 7 ; 
visits Montreal, 234 7 ; speeches, 
2 34 7 ~35 2 ; acts and disappearance, 
235 2 - 

Household arts, 140*. 

Household utensils, 141 2 . 

Houses, 1 39°, I42 7 . 

Howard, Governor, Indian name, 

23I 1 . 

fTtibley, Lieut. Col Adam, cited, $$.. 



Hudson, Henry, mentioned, 135 3 ; met 
no Iroquois, 168 4 . 

Hudson, John, present, at council 
with Munseys, 3I3 9 -I4 1 . 

Hunter, Governor, stops war be- 
tween Iroquois and Flatheads, 
260 9 ; reports Iroquois quiet, 263 s . 

Hunter, A. F., cited, 129 5 ; researches, 
176 7 . 

Hunter, Robert, Oneida chief, 272 s . 

Huron-Iroquois, see Iroquois. 

Hurons, territory, 135 s ; Indian name, 
137 8 ; expulsion of Iroquois from 
Canada, 152 2 ; historic dates, 
I53 7 ~54 2 ; common names, 153 8 ; re- 
movals from exposed to secluded 
situations, 161 9 ; good Iroquois, 
168 5 ; visited by Champlain, 169 7 ; 
join Champlain in attack on 
Iroquois, 169 8 ; withdraw frontier 
towns, 176 8 ; visit of missionaries 
to, 176 9 ; defeated by Senecas, 178 3 ; 
torture an Iroquois, 178 9 ; friends 
of sedentary nations, I79 5 ; Iro- 
quois prisoners, 179 8 ; population, 
180 1 ; captured by Iroquois, 181 1 ; 
desire peace, 181 2 ; war against 
Senecas, 181 2 ; defeat Oneidas, 
181 4 ; control French trade, 181 8 ; 
attacked by Iroquois, 182 9 ; attack 
Algonquins, 183 6 ; defeated on the 
Ottawa, 184 2 ; attack Iroquois, 184 5 ; 
victorious in canoe fights, 184 5 ; 
captured by Iroquois, 185 9 ; mis- 
fortunes, 186 5 ; peace concluded 
with Iroquois, 188 3 ; upper Iroquois 
continue war against, 189 2 ; women 
carried off, 189 3 ; defeated, 189 5 ; 
sentinel killed on watchtower, 
189 6 ; reprisals, 189 7 ; encounter 
with Oneidas, 191 7 ; defeat 
Iroquois, 191 9 ; attack Onondagas, 
192 2 ; send deputies to Andastes for 
aid, 192 6 ; ambassadors sent to 
Onondagas, 193 1 ; embassy attacked 
by Mohawks, 193*; attacked by 
Senecas, 193 8 ; towns abandoned, 
193 7 ; Andastes could not help, 
194 8 ; town of St Joseph destroyed, 
194*; attacked at St Ignace, 194 8 ; 



442 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



attacked at St Louis, 195 2 ; aban- 
don five towns, 195 8 ; flight of, 195 9 ; 
betrayed to Mohawks, 196 8 ; 
treachery, 197 5 ; near Quebec, 198 8 ; 
war against Mohawks, 198 6 ; de- 
feated, 198 7 ; defeat Mohawks, 199 9 ; 
treaty with Mohawks, 200*; some 
go to Onondaga, 208 7 ; attack 
Iroquois on the Ottawa, 21 1 1 ; coun- 
cil with Kiskakons, 227 s ; war with 
Iroquois, 235 ; would not fight 
Iroquois, 245 s ; seek peace, 245 s ; 
propose joining Iroquois, 245"; 
settlement near Albany, 249 s ; on 
French treatment of Iroquois, 254 7 ; 
Iroquois name, 256 s ; desire war, 
261 6 ; message to Iroquois on the 
Ohio, 293 s ; peace with, 326 s ; ask 
Iroquois to attend general council, 
37?. 

Illinois, occupied by English, 327". 

Illinois Indians, names and location, 
138 7 ; attacked by Senecas, 225 s ; 
vanquished, 226 2 ; renewed attacks, 
226% 226 9 -27 1 ; Senecas' warlike atti- 
tude toward, 228 2 ; abandoned to 
their fate, 229 s ; attacked by Onon- 
dagas, 230 6 ; subdued, 234 s ; French 
messengers to, 263 s ; attacked by 
Iroquois, 26s 5 . 

Immorality, 390 8 . 

Indian children, held as pledges, 
293 1 . 

Indian Problem, 129 5 , 387*. 

Inglis, Rev. Charles, memorial of, 
339 5 - 

Ingoldsby, Capt., reproves Indians, 
240 9 ; command of English forces, 
240 9 . 

Interpreters, 388 s . 

Intoning, 144 3 , 204 8 . 

Iottecas, 171 8 . 

Irocoisia, 172 3 . 

Irondequoit, French post at, 265 1 ; 
English post at, 268*. 

Irondequoit bay, De Nonville lands 
at, 233 2 . 

Irondequoit land deed, 279 s . 

Iroquet, contest with Iroquois, 180 . 



Iroquois, territory, 131 4 , 135 6 ; legends, 
1 3^~35 2 ; religious belief, 131 7 , 
220 3 ; creative myths, 132 2 ; story of 
national origin and migration, 
i32 7 -35 2 ; traces in Canada, 133 4 ; 
how known to Champlain and the 
Dutch, 135 6 ; position of kindred 
nations, 135 7 ; language, 136 5 ; man- 
ner of advent in New York, 147 2 ; 
residence on St Lawrence, 149 6 , 
152 1 ; war, origin, 150 4 ; in Vermont, 
151 5 ; proposed peace with Algon- 
quins, 151 5 ; date of beginning of 
war, 151 5 ; use of guns, 151 9 ; expul- 
sion from Canada, 152 2 , 153 2 ; date 
of coming into New York, 153 s ; 
how divided by Dutch and Cham- 
plain, 159 7 ; two brotherhoods of 
nations, 164 3 ; an Algonquin word, 
165 7 ; origin of word, i6s 7 -66 7 ; early 
defeats, 167 8 ; not encountered by 
Hudson, 168 4 ; treaty with Dutch at 
Tawasentha, 172 9 ; length of war 
with Algonquins, 174 2 ; peace with 
Algonquins, 174 2 ; new war, 175 7 ; 
trade with Dutch, 177 9 ; buy guns 
and wampum, 177 9 ; foundation of 
power, 178 1 ; tributary nations, 
178 2 ; tortured, 178 4 ; retaliate on 
French, 178 5 ; treatment of captives, 
178 9 ; names of, by Jesuits, 179 5 ; 
upper, names of, 179 5 ; prisoners, 
179 8 ; excellent marksmen, 180 2 ; 
canoes and canoe fights, 180 8 ; con- 
test with Iroquet, 180 9 ; capture 
Hurons, 181 1 ; attacks on French, 
182 6 , 184 3 , 185 9 ; attacks on Hurons, 
182 9 , 186 5 ; attacked by Hurons, 
184 5 ; now stronger than Hurons, 
185 8 ; capture Hurons, 185 8 ; change 
conduct of war, 186 3 ; fear of, 186 6 , 
197 7 ; distribution of parties, 186 8 ; 
three taken prisoners by Hurons, 
187 8 ; prisoners sent home, 187 9 ; 
peace with Hurons, 188 3 ; upper, 
continue Huron war, 189 2 ; de- 
feated by Hurons, 191 9 ; war par- 
ties, 192 4 ; attack on St Joseph, 
194 4 ; attack on St Ignace, 194 8 ; 
attack on St Louis, 19S 2 ; attack 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



443 



Petuns, 196 1 ; attack Neutrals, 196 9 ; 
reverse through Huron treachery, 
197 5 ; proposed alliance against, 
198 5 ; slaves, 201 7 ; war with Eries, 
203 1 ; jealousies, 205 3 ; war with 
Ottawas, 209 9 -io x ; massacre of Al- 
gonquins, 210 4 ; visit remote 
regions, 210 6 ; Christian, removal to 
Canada, 220 5 ; numbers and vil- 
lages, 210 8 , 224 7 , 277 1 , 324*, 335 6 , 
342 s , 369 s , 384', 385 1 ; attacked by 
Hurons on the Ottawa, 21 1 1 ; rav- 
ages in Canada in 1661, 2ii 9 -i2 1 ; 
peace proposals, 212 3 ; attack Atti- 
kamegues, 214 6 ; defeated by Min- 
quas, 215 7 ; first treaty with Eng- 
lish, 216 6 ; peace with French, 217 2 , 
218 9 , 254 4 ; towns depopulated, 220"; 
council with Count Frontenac, 
221 9 ; difficulty with Maryland, 
223 7 ; gain warriors, 227 s ; treaty of 
peace with Maryland, 227 s ; attack 
on Ottawas, 227 s ; for galley slaves, 
230 4 , 232 7 ; desire alliance with 
Ottawas, 230 8 ; importance, 231*, 
254 7 ; received as subjects of 
English king, 233 s ; subdue Illi- 
nois, 234 2 ; attack Miamis, 234 s ; 
attack Mission of the Moun- 
tain, 234 s ; French plan for de- 
stroying, 234 s ; war of 1689, 235 s ; 
losses, 239 s ; cast French war belt 
on the ground, 239 s ; attacked by 
French at Toniata, 240 s ; sarcasm, 
241 2 ; war with southern and west- 
ern Indians, 245* ; defeated on 
Lake Champlain, 245 s ; war with 
French, 245 s , 287 s ; peace with five 
Mackinaw nations, 246 s ; attacked 
by French Indians, 246 s ; defeated 
on Lake Erie, 248 s ; English and 
French relations to, 250 7 ; treaties 
with English, 250 8 ; embassy to 
Canada, 254 s ; deputies bring back 
French prisoners, 254 s ; treatment 
by French, 254 s ; promise 
neutrality, 255 9 ; peace with 
Ottawas, 257 s ; join English, 259 s ; 
canoes for English, 260 1 ; employed 
by New York, 260°; council with 



English, 260 9 ; war with Flatheads, 
260 9 ; reception at Albany, 261 7 ; 
wish war to continue, 262 s ; war 
with Catawbas, 26s 2 , 278 s , 284 7 ; at- 
tack Illinois, 265 s ; at war with 
Flatheads, 265 s ; join French In- 
dians, 268 s ; embassy to Canada, 
268 s ; trade with Far Indians, 268 s ; 
treaty with Gov. Keith, 269 1 ; at 
Boston, 269 T ; council with Gover- 
nor Burnet, 270 5 ; war with Foxes, 
274 s ; relations with Pennsylvania, 
274 s ; alliance with Miamis, 275 1 ; 
claim lands in Virginia and Mary- 
land, 276 7 ; trouble with southern 
and western Indians, 277 s ; kill 
Catawbas, 277*; conference with 
Lieutenant Governor Clarke, 277 s , 
278 7 , 280 4 ; treaty with Caughna- 
wagas, 280 2 ; peace with Cherokees, 
280 2 ; peace with Catawbas, 280 2 , 
295 5 ; fight with Virginians, 281 2 ; 
conquests, 283 9 -84 2 ; power, 284 s , 
323 5 ; embassy to Philadelphia, 
285*; council with French, 286 s ; 
divided on war with French, 286 7 ; 
party division among, 287*; council 
of 1746, 288 1 ; council at Quebec, 
289 s ; warriors come to Philadel- 
phia, 289°; conference with Gover- 
nor Clinton, 289*; conference with 
Johnson, 290 2 ; council with Gover- 
nor de la Galissoniere, 290 9 ; 
on branches of the Mississippi, 
293 7 ; emigrants, 293 s , 300 4 ; on the 
Ohio, 293 9 ; blacksmiths among, 
294 2 ; claims to Ohio lands, 297 1 ; 
killed by Cherokees, 297 s ; loss at 
Lake George, 304 1 ; neutrality, 310 s , 
310 9 ; hostile to Mississagas, 31 I 4 ; 
side with English, 316 1 ; take war 
belt, 316 8 ; land claims, 322 9 -23 6 ; 
join English against Pontiac, 324"; 
go against Delawares, 325 7 ; west- 
ern alliances, 340 6 ; friendship im- 
portant, 341 7 ; loyal to king, 349 1 ; 
visit French in Rhode Island, 369 7 ; 
number employed by English, 371 2 ; 
New York, desire to expel, 371*; 
two confederacies, 379"; declare 



444 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



war against English, 383 s ; reports 
on, 384*, 38S 1 , 387 3 -9i 2 ; self-sus- 
taining, 387 7 ; crimes, 387*; speak 
English language, 388". See also 
French Iroquois. 

Iroquois clans, 134 2 , i^-tf 1 . 

Iroquois league, date of, I47 9 ~48 r ; 
true date, 153 6 ; successive mem- 
bers, I48 7 ; founders, 154 3 ; site of 
formative council, 161 7 , 166 7 ; 
names of, 16^-6^', their own title, 
165 3 ; simple at first, 167 1 ; inde- 
pendent action of nations, 167 2 . 

Jackson, T. W., report on Iroquois, 
387 s ; on citizenship, 391 4 . 

Jacobs, Captain, mentioned, 149 7 . 

Jemison, Mary, prisoner, 319 1 ; ac- 
count of St Leger's Oswego 
council, 355 s . 

Jernaistes, 243 s . 

Jesuit chapel at Onondaga, 256 s . 

Jesuit Relations, cited, 129", 143 9 , 
I5i 7 , I53 7 , 165 8 , I79 6 , i82 B , 183 2 , 185 8 , 
193 s , 194 1 , 207 8 , 208 1 , 210 8 , 214 8 . 

Jesuits, visit Neutrals, 181 5 ; flee with 
Hurons, 195 9 ; leave Iroquois, 259*. 

Jogues, Isaac, taken by Mohawks, 
183 9 ; seen among Mohawks, 184 6 ; 
escapes, 184 8 ; account of Mohawk 
sacrifice, 185 3 ; letter from, 186 4 ; 
ambassador to Mohawks, 190 2 ; 
meets Onondagas, 190 5 ; comes 
back as a missionary, 190 8 ; death, 
190 9 . 

Johnson, Edward, complaints, 319 4 . 

Johnson, Col. Guy, conference at 
Onondaga, 319 8 ; map of 1771, 339°; 
map of 177 1, explanation of, 408 1 ; 
to be Sir William's successor, 
342 s ; council with Iroquois, 342 s , 
343 T , 345* ; Indian names, 343°; con- 
ference with Cayugas, 349 2 ; goes to 
Canada, 349 9 ; explanations, 358°; 
leaves for Oswego, 368"; says 
Oneidas are ready to fight Ameri- 
cans, 368 s ; Indians employed by, 
369 8 . 



Johnson, Sir John, flees, 352' ; leaves 
for Oswego, 368' ; raids, 368"; in- 
vades Schoharie valley, 369 T ; de- 
feated, 369 s . 

Johnson, Peter, ■ chief of western 
Indians, 352". 

Johnson, Rutger, to furnish arms and 
ammunition, 202 9 . 

Johnson, Sir William, Colden's ac- 
count of, 286 8 ; influence among 
Iroquois, 286 s ; at Onondaga, 290*, 
297", 298 s , 305 9 , 330 8 , 33S 2 ; says 
liquor must not be given Indians, 
294 2 ; offers resignation, 296 1 ; buys 
Onondaga lake and shores, 296*; 
says English should live among 
Iroquois, 3or; superintendent of 
Iroquois, 303 2 ; speech to Indians, 
303 3 ; raised sachems, 303 6 ; at Lake 
George, 303 8 ; knighted, 304 2 ; Iro- 
quois councils, 290 a , 304 9 -5 x , 337", 
342 9 ; condoles deaths of Hendrick 
and others, 305 4 ; gives pipe to 
Indians, 305 5 ; condolence of Onon- 
daga sachem, 3o6 9 -7 8 ; at Onondaga 
lake, 307 7 ; conference with Dela- 
wares and Shawnees, 308*; council 
at Canajoharie castle, 315 3 ; leaves 
for Niagara, 316 9 ; in command at 
Niagara, 317 2 ; on use of powder by 
Indians, 322 1 ; on Iroquois land 
claims, 322 9 -23 6 ; on Iroquois num- 
bers and villages, 324 s ; council at 
Niagara, 326*; council with Dela- 
wares and Iroquois, 327 s ; council 
with Pontiac, 328 1 ; applies for 
Royal grant, 329 s ; council at Ger- 
man Flats, 329 s ; meets Indians at 
Tuscarora creek, 331 6 ; illness, 333 z ; 
at Fort Stanwix, 333 7 ; accident, 
335 3 ; council with Cayugas and 
Senecas, 335 s ; congress at German 
Flats, 33& L ; account of Indians, 
338* ; last council, 343 2 ; death and 
burial, 343 s - 

Johnson Hall, council at, 321 8 ; 
Cherokee deputies at, 331 8 . 

Johnstown, council at, 358*. 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



445 



Joncaire, mentioned, 254 s ; with 
Senecas, 254 s , 255 s , 259 s , 267 s , 270 3 , 
274 s , 275 s ; brings back captives, 
255 s ; adopted by Senecas, 257% 267 7 ; 
at Michilimackinac, 257 s ; character, 
258'-'; hints of dishonesty, 258 s ; 
killed the original Montour, 258 s ; 
proposals to Onondagas and 
Oneidas, 260 8 ; at Onondaga, 261 1 , 
262 s ; sent to Iroquois country, 
265 s ; asks for trading house, 273 s ; 
tells of oil springs, 279/; death 
mourned, 279 1 . 

Uoncaire, jr, with Senecas, 280 9 ; 
1 Indian name, 284 s ; starts evil re- 
ports, 285 7 ; expelled by Senecas, 
290 1 ; goes to the Ohio, 293 s ; takes 
possession of Ohio lands, 294 1 . 

Jonquiere, Governor de la, on 
English traders, 293*; council with 
Onondagas, 296 s ; death, 297 s . 

Kaghswughtioni, Onondaga chief, 

290 T ; speech, 298*; death, 306 9 . 
Kahkwahs, 181 ; same as Neutrals, 

181 7 ; destroyed by Senecas, i8i 9 -82 2 . 
Kakouagoga, 181 8 . 
Kalm, Peter, 129 6 , 294 s . 
Kanadgegai, exploits, 240°. 
Kanaghqueesa, 351*. 
Kanaghsaws, burned, 36$°. 
Kanisteo, murders at, 319 9 . 
Kannawaloholla burned, 36s 2 . 
Kanneastokaroneah, or Erians, 182 3 . 
Kannoseone, 165 5 . 
Kansas lands, claim of the Six 

Nations to, 386*. 
Karaghiagigo, 328 9 . 
Kashong, burned, 365 s . 
Kawaskant, mentioned, 383 s . 
Kayaderosseras patent, dispute 

settled, 333*. 
Kayashuta, Seneca chief, 344 s . 
Keinthe, 224 s . 
Keith, Governor, Indian name, 268 s ; 

conference, 268 s ; treaties, 268 9 , 

269". 
Kendaia burned, 365 s . 
Kennebecs, 138 3 . See also Abena- 

quiois. 



Ketchum, William, cited, 129 8 , 354 1 . 

Kichtages, 138 8 . 

Kinaquariones, battle at, 2I9 T . 

King, Thomas, quoted, 319 1 ; death, 
340 8 . 

King Philip's war raging, 222*. 

Kiotsaeton, address, 143 9 ; brings Mo- 
hawk offers of peace, 188 3 ; wishes 
French to eat with Mohawks, 188 5 ; 
visit to Montreal, 190 3 . 

Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, chronology, 
148 3 ; on stone in Westmoreland, 
160 9 ; visits Johnson, 318 5 ; recep- 
tion at Onondaga, 326 s ; adopted by 
Senecas, 327 s ; report to Indians, 
345 s ; mentioned, 348 2 ; sent to 
Genesee country, 375*; report on 
Iroquois, 384". 

Kiskakons, 138 7 ; capture a Seneca, 
226 s ; council with Hurons, 227 s . 

Klock, Colonel, dilatory, 361 8 . 

Klock, George, mentioned, 342 s . 

Kondiaronk, 235 s . 

Konkhandeenhronon, 179 7 . 

Konossioni, 165 6 . 

Krieckebeck, Commander, defeated 
by Mohawks, 174 7 . 

Kryn, removes to Canada, 224 2 ; fights 
Senecas, 233 1 ; turns back a Mo- 
hawk war party, 234*; killed, 236 s . 

Kweukwe, 162 5 . 

Labatie asked to go on new embassy, 
198 4 . 

Lackawaxen, burned, 363*. 

Lacrosse, 141 3 . 

La Famine, 206 3 . 

La Fayette, Marquis de, at Johns- 
. town council, 358 s ; Indian name, 
358 s ; addresses Indians, 372 s . 

Lafitau, J. F., cited, 129 8 ; on origin 
of Iroquois, 133°. 

Laforge, at Onondaga, 279 s ; left 
Senecas, 279*; son, 280 7 ; son, black- 
smith among Senecas, 280 9 . 

La Fort, mentioned, 383 s . 

La Galette, French posts, 258°. 

La Grande Gueule, see Hotreouate'. 

Lahontan, A. L. de D., cited, 129 9 , 
228 s , 232'. 



446 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Lake Champlain, Iroquois defeated 
on, 245 9 . 

Lake Erie, primitive name, 182 4 . 

Lake George, names of, 190 3 ; English 
fort planned at, 260 4 ; battle of, 
303 s . 

Lake Ontario, 162 7 . 

Lalemant, Gabriel, tortured, 195 5 . 

Lamberville, Father Jacques de, sent 
to Onondagas, 25s 7 . 

Lamberville, Father Jean de, meets 
La Salle, 222 2 ; on death of Gara- 
kontie', 222 T ; on removal of Onon- 
daga to new site, 226°; says Iro- 
quois do not fear French, 227 s ; 
remains at Onondaga, 228 s ; on La 
Grande Gueule, 228 7 ; sent back by 
De Nonville with presents, 231 8 ; 
influence on Onondagas, 231 9 ; em- 
ployed to draw Iroquois chiefs to 
Fort Frontenac, 232*; saved by 
Onondaga chiefs, 232*; account of 
torture of Onondaga, 247 7 ; Iro- 
quois ask for return of, 254*; at 
Onondaga, 256 s ; goes to Montreal, 
259 4 - 

Lancaster, councils at, 282 s , 283 1 , 318 9 ; 
treaty, 290 9 . 

Lands, appropriation of, by colonists, 
206 7 ; beaver land trust deed, 256 s ; 
value, 281 7 ; Delaware deeds, 281 8 ; 
treaty with Pennsylvania, 301 4 ; dis- 
putes settled, 314 4 , 333 5 ; claims of 
Pennsylvania people, 316 2 ; claims, 
322 9 -23 5 ; frauds, 323 s ; troubles, 
Brant's speeches on, 351 8 ; sales, 
378 3 , 379 s , 38S 7 ; tenure, 388 s , 389"; 
allotments, 389 1 . 

Language, of Iroquois, 136 5 ; of other 
Indians, 339 s . 

La Prairie, abandoned, 224 9 -25 x . 

La Salle, among Senecas, 220 7 ; at 
Onondaga, 222"; launches the 
Griffon, 225 7 ; abandons Fort 
Frontenac, 227 s . 

Last Night, quoted, 318°. 

Lauson, Governor, deed given to 
Jesuits by, 206 7 . 

Lauson, M. de, killed, 212 3 . 

^eboeuff, post abandoned, .321*. 



Le Caron, Father Joseph, visits 
Hurons and Petuns, 176^-7 f; visit 
to LIurons, 177 3 . 

Le Clercq, cited, 174 4 . 

Lee, Arthur, mentioned, 372*. 

Leisler troubles, caused remarks 
among Iroquois, 236 s . 

Le Maitre, killed, 214 2 . 

Le Moine, David, death, 208 9 . 

LeMoyne, Father Simon, visits 
Onondaga, 144 5 , 200 8 ; route and 
reception, 201 1 ; return, 201 s ; visits 
Mohawks, 204 3 ; peace embassy to 
Iroquois, 212 7 ; reception at Onon- 
daga, 212 8 ; death, 217 3 . 

Lenni-lenape, 138 3 . 

Lery, Lieutenant de, destroyed Fort 
Bull, 305 6 . 

" Lessee Company," 373 i . 

Le Vaillant, Father, sent to Senecas, 

255 7 - 
Liquor among Indians, 232", 260 s , 

266 s , 273 1 , 274 s , 276 s , 288 3 , 294 2 , 301 1 , 

303 6 , 33I 1 , 343 2 , 38i 6 . 
Little Abraham, quoted, 352 s . 
Little Castle, burned, 365°. 
Little Falls, proposed canal at, 333 . 
Livingston, Robert, at Onondaga, 252°. 
Livingston, Robert, jr, goes to 

Senecas, 266 s . 
Logan, the Cayuga, 165 2 . 
Logan, James, mentioned, 342 s . 
Logan family murdered, 342 s . 
Logstown, councils at, 29 1 1 , 296 7 . 
Long Falls, burned, 36s 8 . 
Long Knives, name of Americans, 

377 s - 
Long Sault of the Ottawa, French 

and Indian party defeated at, 240*. 
Longueuil, baron de, succeeds 

Maricourt, 257"; at Onondaga, 

262 s ; goes to Senecas, 267 s . 
Loskiel, G. H., cited, 129 7 . 
Lothrop, Samuel K, cited, 129 7 . 
Loudon, earl of, commander in chief, 

304°- 
Louis 14, quoted, 230 3 . 
Loups, 138*. 

Luycasse, Gerrit, agent, 238 2 . 
Lydius, Colonel, mentioned, 301*. 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



447 



MacClod, Norman, commissary of 
Indian affairs, 330 9 -3i 1 . 

Mack, J. Martin, goes to Onondaga, 
297 3 . 

Mackinaw nations, peace with 
Iroquois, 246 s . 

Maechachtinni, 163 s . 

Maguauogs, 150/. 

Mahicans, St Francis Indians of 
Canada, 138 3 ; formerly owned Al- 
bany, 138*; trade with, 172 7 ; fort, 
174 6 ; urged to attack Mohawks, 
175 5 ; sell land to Dutch, 175 9 ; visit 
to New Amsterdam, 184 9 ; flee 
from Albany, 215 4 ; attack Mo- 
hawks, 216 5 ; attack Gandao'uague', 
219 5 ; war with Mohawks, 219 5 ; 
peace with Mohawks, 221 7 ; robbed 
by Mohawks, 225 s ; settlement at 
Schaghticoke, 2.yf ', French party 
destroyed by, 249*; Canadian, 
settle among Senecas, 284 s . 

Mahikanders, 138 4 . 

Maison-neuve, Sieur, at founding of 
Montreal, 183 3 . 

Maps, i26 9 -27 3 ; explanation of, 393- 
428; of Dutch 1614 and 1616, 171 6 ; 
published by O. H. Marshall, 233 s ; 
of Romer, 253 s ; of Evans, 282 s ; of 
Guy Johnson, 339®. 

Maquas, Dutch name for Mohawks, 
135°, I59 3 , IS9 7 , I7i 7 . 

Mareuil, Father de, sent to Onon- 
dagas and Senecas, 255 s ; at Albany, 
259 4 - 

Maricourt, M. de, at Onondaga, 
252 9 -S3 1 , 255 s ; mentioned, 2S4 3 ; 
death, 257 s . 

Marshall, O. H., cited, 129 7 ; thought 
Kahkwahs and Neutrals the same, 
181 7 ; maps published by, 233 s . 

Marshe, Witham, cited, 129 8 ; account 
of Lancaster council, 283 s . 

Maryland, troubles with Iroquois, 
223 7 ; treaty of peace with Iroquois, 
227°; Indian name, 231 2 , 283 7 ; lands 
claimed by Iroquois, 276 7 ; settles 
claims, 284 s ; and Pennsylvania, | 
division line, 329 s . 



Maskoutins, other names, 139 1 ; pro- 
pose joining Iroquois, 245 9 -46\ 

Masks, 141 7 . 

Massachusetts, represented at council 
at Albany, 243 s . 

Massachusetts Historical Society Col- 
lections, see Marshe. 

Massawomekes, 194 1 . 

Medals, presented to Iroquois, 308 3 ; 
given up by Oneidas, 310 3 ; given 
to chiefs at Philadelphia, 375*. 

Megapolensis, Dominie, cited, 129 9 ; 
work, 346 6 . 

Menard, Father, mission among 
Cayugas, 208 8 . 

Mercer, Colonel, killed, 308 s . 

Messengers, 388 9 . 

Meulles, M. de, quoted, 228 7 . 

Miami, council at Auglaize, 375 7 . 

Miamis, other names, 138 8 ; Senecas 
go against, 232 1 ; war with Iroquois, 
234 2 , 245 s ; French messengers sent 
to, 263 s ; asked to attack English, 
272°; alliance with Iroquois, 275 1 ; 
friends of English, 290 9 ; message 
to Iroquois on the Ohio, 293 s ; dele- 
gates to, 374 s . 

Miantonimo, charges against, 180 6 . 

Michilimackinac, attack on, 227°; 
French messengers to, 263 s . 

Mi'.ldietown burned, 36s 2 . 

Milet, Father Pierre, at Onondaga, 
219 2 ; leaves Oneida, 228 2 ; captured, 
2 35 G ; song, 235 7 ; not surrendered, 
237°; released, 243 7 . 

Miln, Rev. John, mentioned, 347 s . 

Mingoes, 165 2 ; tribute to Onondagas, 
250 s . 

Minisink, destroyed, 363' '; depreda- 
tions at, 370 2 . 

Minisinks, council with Iroquois, 
3I4 4 . 

Minquas, territory, 136 3 , 171 8 ; must 
not be classed with Delawares, 
138°; how called by Algonquins, 
165 1 ; peace with Senecas, 211 8 ; 
aided by English, 214 5 ; party sent 
against, 214 7 ; defeat Iroquois, 215 7 . 
See also Andastes ; Conestogas. 



448 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Mission of the Mountain, 267 s ; atr 
tacked, 234 s . 

Mission of the Two Mountains, fort 
at, 279 s . 

Missionaries, visit to Hurons and 
Neutrals, 176 9 ; experiences among 
savages, 177 5 ; to Iroquois neces- 
sary, 257*; at Onondaga and 
Oneida, 305 2 . 

Missions, buildings, on Onondaga 
lake, 207 4 ; established, 208 8 ; 
French, resumed in 1667, 2i8 9 -ig 1 ; 
in Canada, 220 4 , 224 s , 267 s ; aban- 
doned, 228"; English proposed, 
238 s ; among Onondagas and 
Senecas/255 7 ; at Onondaga, 256 s ; 
connection with trading posts for- 
bidden, 270 3 ; Moravian, 294 s ; 
protestant, 346 6 -47 8 . 

Mississagas, 138 9 ; join the Six 
Nations, 286 1 ; declare war, 287 s ; j 
called a seventh nation, 287 s ; war I 
with Ottawas, 299 1 ; alliance, 303 5 ; ! 
hostile, 31 1 5 . See also Far Indians. 

Mississippi, Iroquois on branches of, j 

293 ? - 

Mohawk, an Algonquin word, 159 2 . 

Mohawk flats, deed of, 323°. 

Mohawk prayer book, new edition, 
3i9 7 , 323 9 , 335 5 ; of 1787, 339 9 -40 1 ; 
Canadian edition, 372 9 ; edited by 
Brant, 372°. 

Mohawk valley, evidences of early 
Iroquois occupation, 152 5 ; John- 
son's raids, 368 s . 

Mohawks, origin, 133 2 , 135 3 ; lan- 
guage, 136 6 ; clans, 144 8 ; advent of, 
147 7 ; reference to Cartier's visit, 
I49 9 -50 X ; varying fortunes, 151 s ; 
exodus from Canada, 152 4 , 153 2 ; 
earliest forts, 152 6 ; first towns in 
New York, 152 s ; chiefs, 154 8 , 157 7 ; 
other names, 159 4 ; symbols, I59 5 , 
164 3 , 338 s ; cannibalism, 159 8 , 241 7 ; 
council name, 159 9 ; national j 
boundary, 160 2 ; Delaware name, 
161 3 ; elder brother, 164 5 ; remote 
from Hudson river, 168 3 ; battle 
with Champlain, i68 9 -69 2 ; supposed 
early treaty with, 173 2 ; first treaty 



in 1645, 174 1 ; defeat Dutch, 174 8 ; 
peace embassy to, 175 8 ; towns, 
names of, 179 2 ; dreaded by other 
Indians, 180 3 ; attacks on French, 
182 7 , 196 7 ; collect tribute, 184 8 ; 
sacrifice to Aireskoi, 185 3 ; stronger 
than Hurons, 185 8 ; peace concluded 
with Hurons, 188 3 ; resuscitate 
Oneida, 188 7 ; hunt with Algon- 
quins, 189 1 ; visit of deputies to 
Montreal, 190 2 ; attack on Huron 
embassy, 193 4 ; aid upper Iroquois, 
196 8 ; go against eastern Indians, 
198 3 ; Huron war against, 198 6 ; 
chief burned at Three Rivers, 198 9 ; 
enmity toward French, 199 1 ; de- 
feated by Hurons, 199 9 ; join in 
peace proposals, 200 1 ; treaty with 
Hurons, 200 4 ; jealous of Onon- 
dagas, 200 8 ; alliance with Dutch, 
205 2 ; antagonism to Onondagas, 
205 3 ; almost at war with Senecas, 
205 4 ; assail French colony, 205 9 ; 
trouble with Senecas settled by ar- 
bitration, 208*; carry off Hurons, 
208 7 ; plot ruin of French, 209 1 ; 
war with Ottawas, 209 9 -io 1 ; num- 
bers, 210 8 , 277 2 , 291 1 , 384', 385"; 
invite Indians living near New 
Amsterdam to live with them, 211 7 ; 
present at treaty with Esopus 
Indians, 211 7 ; send party against 
Ottawas, 214 8 ; attack Penobscot 
Indians, 214 8 ; and eastern Indians, 
215 4 ; attacked by Mahicans, 216 5 ; 
ambassadors killed by Abenaquiois, 
216 5 ; invasion by Governor de Cour- 
celle, 217 3 ; kill French hunters, 
217 7 ; towns destroyed, 218*; war 
with Mahicans, 219 5 ; condolence, 
220 1 ; induced to renounce worship 
of Agreskoue' 220 3 ; peace with 
Mahicans, 221 7 ; treaty with Dutch, 
222 s ; defeat King Philip, 222 s ; pre- 
serve Andastes, 223 s ; four forti- 
fied towns in 1677, 224'; rob 
Mahicans, 225 s ; complained of by 
New Englanders, 225 s ; quiet in 
1680, 225 s ; complained of by 
Massachusetts commissioners, 226*; 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



449 



resent English inactivity, 238 s ; 
go with Schuyler, 239*; captains 
killed, 239 s ; carry off Caugh- 
nawagas, 239 s ; attack Fort 
Vercheres, 240 a ; losses, 240 8 , 252 s ; 
attacked by French, 241 3 ; ideas of 
food, 241 9 ; bring peace belts to 
Canada, 248 s ; sent back from Eng- 
land, 248 s ; French party destroyed 
by, 249 4 ; nattered by English and 
French, 250 9 ; restoration of land 
to, 252'; in Canada, 252 T , 371 6 ; 
threaten eastern Indians, 253 s ; did 
not wish war, 259 s ; taken to Eng- 
land, 260°; fort and chapel built 
for, 263*; Johnson's influence with, 
286 s ; favor war, 286 7 , 380 5 ; small- 
pox among, 287 s ; invade Montreal, 
289 2 ; some killed near Johnson's 
house, 289 s ; burn fort on 
Oswegatchie river, 291 6 ; ask to 
have Johnson reinstated, 296 2 ; 
asked to settle on frontier, 296 s ; 
lost influence in council, 300 4 ; at 
Philadelphia, 302 7 ; come to Fort 
Johnson, 311 2 ; villages, 324 s ; were 
Christians and educated, 338"; 
number employed by English, 371 2 ; 
land sales, 379°. 

Mohicans, 138 4 . 

Monacatootha buries Tanacharisson, 
301 7 . 

Montagnais, 138 2 . 

Montagnards, 138 2 ; swept away, 197 2 . 

Montauk's, 138 5 ; settle at Oneida, 
343 1 - 

Montcalm, at Oswego, 308 8 ; at Fort 
William Henry, 312 4 . 

Montgomerie, Governor, succeeded 
Governor Burnet, 273 1 . 

Montmagny, Gov., at founding of 
Montreal, 183 3 ; called Onontio, 183 8 . 

Montour, Captain, destroys Dela- 
ware towns, 326 3 . 

Montour, Madame, brought to Onon- 
daga, 262 s ; French try to have 
settle in Canada, 266 2 ; interpreter, 
272 s ; daughter Margaret, 275 s ; hus- 
band killed, 275 7 ; at Lancaster 
council, 283 s . 



Montour, Andrew, goes to Onon- 
daga, 285 2 , 297 7 ; council at Logs- 
town, 296 7 . 

Montour, Catharine, mentioned, 359 7 , 

375 2 - 

Montour, Esther, mentioned, 359 T . 
360 7 , 375 1 - 

Montour, Margaret, 275°. 

Montour, Mary, 375". 

Montour family, 258 s , 375 1 . 

Montreal, Algonquins present at 
founding of, 152 1 ; site selected in 
1641, 183 2 ; reinforced, 199 7 ; 
Iroquois attacks on, 235 s ; fighting 
at, 238 s ; famine, 238 s ; treaty be- 
tween French and Iroquois, 254*; 
council at, 255 s , 263 s , 309 9 , 350 4 ; 
conference between De Vaudreuil 
and Senecas, 304 8 ; deputies to, 
309 7 ; surrender, 317 5 . 

Montreal expedition, number of 
Indians on, 3i7 9 -i8 1 . 

Montreal Island invaded, 289 2 . 

Moor, Rev. Thoroughgood, men- 
tioned, 346°. 

Moravian Indian towns, British at 
Detroit not favorable to, 370 7 . 

Moravian Indians, opposed by Brant, 
373 7 ; Brant speaks in behalf of, 374 s . 

Moravians, at Onondaga, 285 2 , 294 s , 
297 s , 299 7 -300 2 ; work among Iro- 
quois, 285 s ; in Dutchess county, 
294 s . 

Morgan, L. H., cited, 129 9 ; on Iro- 
quois clans, 144 9 ; on meaning of 
name Cayuga, 162 5 ; on Seneca 
name of Iroquois, 165 4 . 

Morgan's map of Hodenosauneega, 
explanation of, 4io 1 -i2 8 . 

Morris, Governor, sends belt to On- 
ondaga, 302 2 ; presents Teedyus- 
cung with belt, 312 9 . 

Morris, Thomas, description of Red 
Jacket, 382 s . 

Morse, Rev. Jedidiah, cited, 129 9 ; 
report on Iroquois, 384^ 384*. 

Moseley, Rev. Eleazar, mentioned, 
348 5 . 

Mount Johnson, council fire removed 
to, 303 4 . 



45° 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Mountain, village of, attacked, 239 s . 

Mountaineers, 163 8 . 

Miiller, Max., on Mohawk language, 

136 6 . 
Munro, Rev. Henry, mentioned, 347 s . 
Munseys, 138 8 ; council with, 314 1 . 
Musical instruments, 141*. 
Myths of Iroquois, I32 a . 

Naharuke, fort of, 263 s . 

Nanfan, Lieutenant Governor, men- 
tioned, 250 5 ; conference with the 
Five Nations, 256 1 ; gifts to Indians, 
26 1 9 . 

Nanticokes, other names and terri- 
tory, 139*; tributaries to Iroquois, 
2 57 9 > 3 2 4 s ; adopted by Iroquois, 
290 5 ; go to Wyoming, 292*; go to 
Otsiningo, 299 s ; king dead, 307 9 . 

National devices, 164 3 . 

Necariages, 138 7 . 

Neutrality, efforts for, 382". 

Neutrals, territory, 131 5 , 135 7 ; with- 
draw frontier towns, 176 8 ; towns, 
177 7 , 182 5 , 197 3 ; visits of Brebeuf 
and Chaumonot to, 181 5 ; strength, 
181 6 ; poor boatmen, 181 7 ; same as 
Kahkwahs, 181 7 ; southern bound- 
ary, 181 8 ; and Eries, boundary be- 
tween, 182 3 ; village destroyed, 
192 5 ; destroyed, I96 9 ~97 2 . 

New Jersey, represented at council at 
Albany, 243*. 

New York, represented at council at 
Albany, 243 s . 

Newtown, burned, 364°. See also 
Elmira. 

Nez Perces, 136 1 . 

Niagara, French forts at, 233^, 264 s - 
65 1 , 265 s , 271 5 ; Ottawas at, 258 s ; 
French posts, 258 s ; Seneca village 
at, 265 s ; English forts at, 266 s , 
271 2 ; fur trade, 276 s ; siege of, 317 2 ; 
soldiers destroyed near, 322 s ; carry- 
ing place at ceded to English, 32ft ; 
councils at, 326 s , 376 s ; number of 
Indians at, 368 s . 

Nicariages at Albany, 269 s . 

Nipissings, 139 2 . 

Nipissiriniens, 139*. 



Niregouentaron, 225*. 
Nomadic nations, 139 8 . 
Normanskill, treaty at, 172 8 . 
Northern Indians, power of, 323 s5 . 
Nouvee, Father Anne de, visit to 

Hurons, 177*. 
Numbering by sticks, 181 1 . 

O'Callaghan, E. B., cited, 130 1 . 
Occum, Rev. Samson, mentioned, 

348 2 . 
Ochateguins, 135 8 , 168 5 . 
Ochionagueras, 201 s . 
Ochoueguen, 227 s . 
Odislastagheks, 139 1 . 
Odongaowa, on the English side, 

242 s . 
Oel, Rev. John Jacob, mentioned, 

347*. 

Offerings, 132 1 . 

Ogden Land Co., 385 s - 

Ogdensburg, fort on site of, 291°. 

Ogeratarihen, 225 2 . 

Ogilvie, Rev. John, missionary 
among Mohawks, 305 3 , 347*. 

Oheknugh, slain, 377*. 

Ohio, warnings to French in, 299\ 

Ohio Indians, peace treaty, 327 s . 

Ohio lands, Indian claims, 296 9 -97 2 . 

Ohio river, French on, 292 s ; Iro- 
quois on, 293°; Indians murdered 
on, 328 1 . 

Oil Spring reservation, 386 s . 

Oil springs, 279 2 . 

O jib was, other names, 138 9 . See also 
Far Indians. 

Old Belt, see Belt. 

Onagogare, to succeed the Bunt, 

344 4 - 
Oneida, destroyed, 248 s ; Scarrooyady 

at, 302 9 ; fort, 305 8 . 
Oneida lake, fort proposed at, 258 s ; 

forts on, 3 1 5 s . 
Oneida portage, storehouses at, 303 7 . 
Oneida stone of 1796, 160 9 . 
Oneidas, origin, 133 2 , 134 4 , I35 3 ; 

clans, 144 8 ; advent of, 147 8 ; chiefs, 

I54 8 , I57°-S8 1 ; related to Mohawks, 

160 3 ; home before migration, 160 4 ; 

early seat, 160*; language, 160 4 ; 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



451 



council name, 161 1 ; Delaware 
name, 161 4 ; symbols, 164 s , 338'; 
younger brother, 164 5 ; strong fort, 
170 5 ; defeated by Hurons, 181 4 ; in- 
censed against Hurons, 188 7 ; en- 
counter with Hurons, 191 7 ; seize a 
Frenchman, 200 8 ; numbers, 210 9 , 
22 4 e , 2 7 f, 291 1 , 384 s , 384 5 , 384 s , 
385 s ; send party against Ottawas, 
214 8 ; deputies sent to Canada in 
June 1666, 217 6 ; town near Oneida 
creek, 224 s ; captains killed, 239"; 
battle with, 239 7 ; send Tareha to 
Canada, 242 1 ; burned, 248 s ; emi- 
grants to Canada, 248 s ; send 
messenger to French, 251 5 ; losses, 
252 s ; would not return prisoners, 
25 5 8 ; French agents sent to, 260 8 ; 
order Shawnees to return east, 
274 s ; at Quebec, 302 4 ; send deputies 
to Montreal, 309 T ; friendly to 
French, 310 1 ; give up medals, 
scalps and belts, 310 2 ; half favor 
French, 31 1 1 ; conference with 
Cherokee chiefs, 31 1 8 ; council with, 
318 6 ; villages, 324*; in a primitive 
state, 338 s ; opposed to war, 354" ; 
burn Iroquois towns, 361 3 ; go over 
to English, 368 7 ; go to white set- 
tlements, 369 2 ; number employed 
by English, 371 2 ; secured in pos- 
session of lands, 372 1 , 378 7 ; reser- 
vation acknowledged, 378 s ; special 
treaty with, 378 s ; tract in Wis- 
consin, 379 2 ; go to Wisconsin, 
384*; in Wisconsin, number, 384 s ; 
in Oneida and Madison counties, 
386 8 . 

Onioen, 162 3 . 

Onioenronons, early name of Cay- 
ugas, 162 2 . 

Oniouenhronons, 179 8 . 

Onjadarakte, fort at, 234*. 

Onoiochrhonons, 179 6 . 

Onondaga, French embassy to, 204 3 ; 
councils at, 208*, 236 T , 237 1 , 242 7 , 
25 1 7 , 252 s , 262 s , 282 s , 289*, 305 3 , 305 9 , 
310 9 , 319 8 , 330 8 , 344 7 , 376 7 ; removed 
to new site, 226 4 ; English agents 
at, 238% 2Si 2 ; blacksmith at, 238 s , 



240 9 ; English fort at, 242 2 ; western 
nations refuse to join expedition 
against, 246 s ; invaded, 247 2 ; 
burned, 247 s ; French agents at, 
25 1 2 ; English fort proposed, 252 1 , 
252*, 254 2 , 262 2 , 263°, 266°, 305 8 ; 
French embassy at, 253 1 ; fort 
opposed by Albany people, 253 s ; 
Jesuit chapel at, 256 s ; French fort 
proposed, 261 2 , 264 s , 294 2 , 296 s ; 
English embassy at, 26^', embassy 
to, 285 s ; Moravians at, 294 s , 299 7 ; 
French party at, 297 s ; salt from, 
353*', few Indians at, 376 3 ; declara- 
tion of war at, 383*. 

Onondaga country, Romer's map, 
253 9 - 

Onondaga lake, league formed at, 
166 7 ; French colony at, 204 4 ; re- 
ception of French colony at, 206 6 ; 
mission buildings on, 206°, 207 4 ; 
Johnson buys, 296*; council at, 
307 7 . 

Onondaga lands, French grant of, 
206 7 ; sales, 379 3 . 

Onondaga name of Iroquois, 165 5 . 

Onondaga reservation, 386 s ; ack- 
nowledged, 378 s . 

Onondagas, origin, 133 2 , 135 4 ; early 
home, 133 9 , 161 5 ; clans, 134 2 , 144 9 - 
45 1 , 145 7 ; advent of, 147 3 ; on date 
of Iroquois league, 149 4 ; chiefs, 
154 9 , 158 2 , 390 4 ; meaning of name, 
161 4 ; council name, 161 7 ; change in 
location, 161 8 ; symbols, 164 8 , 164 4 ; 
elder brother, 164 5 ; fire keepers, 
have casting vote, 164 8 ; attacked 
by Hurons, 192 2 ; embassy to 
Hurons, 193 1 ; ambassador's action, 
I93 7 ; peace embassy to Montreal, 
199 8 ; jealous of Mohawks, 205 8 ; 
plot against French, 209 1 ; num- 
bers, 210 9 , 224 7 , 277 2 , 291 1 , 324", 384 s , 
384 8 , 385 3 , 385 4 ; attacked by 
Hurons on the Ottawa, 211 8 ; peace 
proposal, 212 4 ; peace embassy at- 
tacked, 216 4 ; one large unwalled 
town, 224 7 ; attack the Illinois, 
225 s , 230 8 ; Susquehanna lands, 
229 s ; proposals to Governor 



452 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Howard of Virginia and Governor 
Dongan, 23 1 1 ; deputies to Canada, 
243 2 ; burned at Montreal, 247 1 ; 
tortured, 247 7 ; stop emigration, 
249 1 ; peace embassy to Canada, 
249 s ; surprised by ■ Algonquins, 
249 s ; chiefs killed, 249 s ; send mes- 
senger to French, 251 s ; losses, 
252 s ; French partizans among, 
253 1 ; conference with, 254*, 318 6 ; 
return prisoners, 255 s ; reputation 
as " men of business," 25s 7 ; mis- 
sionaries sent to, 255 7 ; in Virginia, 
258*; did not wish war, 259 s ; 
French agents sent to, 260 8 ; con- 
sent to French fort at Niagara, 
271 3 ; at conference in Philadel- 
phia, 275°; embassy to French, 
278 s ; go to see Governor de Beau- 
harnois, 280 7 ; smallpox among, 
289 1 ; poverty, 290 3 ; chiefs at Phila- 
delphia, 292 2 ; French influence, 
294 3 ; claim Ohio lands, 296 s ; at 
Oswegatchie, 300 4 ; at Quebec, 302 3 ; 
send deputies to Montreal, 309 7 ; 
conference at Montreal, 309 9 ; 
neutral, 310 9 , 362 s ; come to Fort 
Johnson, 311 2 ; villages, 324 5 ; 
name they call themselves, 338 s ; 
death of chiefs, 353 6 ; some hostile, 
360 3 ; detained at Niagara, 362 s ; 
towns destroyed, 36s 1 ; number em- 
ployed by English, 371 2 . 

Onontaerrhonons, 179 6 . 

Ononwaragon, death condoled, 273*. 

Onowaragon, speaks at conference, 
280 7 . 

Oquagas, controlled by Iroquois, 
269 s ; will go to war, 287 s ; on 
English side, 31 1 6 ; liturgy used by, 
348 s ; mentioned, 353*, 361 4 . 

Oratory, 143 1 . 

Oreaoue', going to Montreal, 228 s ; 
captured, 232 s ; sides with French, 
2 39 7 , 2 39 9 , 2 43 7 ; religious fervor, 
250 4 ; death, 250 4 . 

Oriskany, battle of, 356 s . 

Ornaments, 140 9 ; of European make, 
152 6 . 

Oronkouaia, 181 3 . 



Osborne, Gov. Danvers, death, 298 2 . 

Ostanghaes, controlled by Iroquois, 
269 s . 

Ostiagaghroones, 138 9 . 

Oswegatchie, French troops go to, 
297 ; settlement broken up, 303 5 . 

Oswegatchie Indians, 300*; give up 
English medals to French, 302 4 ; 
wish to return to Onondaga, 315 8 ; 
numbers and villages, 324 7 . 

Oswegatchie river, fort, 291 5 . 

Oswego, first mention, 227 s ; found- 
ing of, 270 8 ; fort built at, 272*, 
280 1 ; trade, 292", 300 7 ; deserters 
from, 305 9 ; road to, 308 1 ; surrender 
of, 308 7 ; massacre at, 308 9 ; re- 
occupied, 314 3 ; councils at, 328 1 , 
350 2 , 3S4 7 ; St Leger's council, 355 1 ; 
attempt to capture, 370 9 . 

Oswego Falls, first fort of Onon- 
dagas at, 133 9 ; fort proposed at, 
258*, 308 1 ; Englishmen at, 271 1 ; 
battle at, 308 8 ; fort built at, 316 9 . 

Oswego river, first European de- 
scent, 202 2 ; fort on, 315 8 . 

Otatshehteh, 156 7 . 

Oteroughyanento, speaks, 35 1 8 . 

Otschiniata, 328 s , 344 s . See also 
Bunt. 

Otsiningo, council with Delawares, 
306 6 ; Indians from, 349 s . 

Ottawa river, closed by Iroquois 
bands, 186 4 ; Hurons and French 
attacked by Onondagas, 21 1 1 ; de- 
serted, 212 2 . 

Ottawas, other names, 138 s ; take 13 
Senecas, 200 7 ; war with Mohawks, 
209 9 -io 1 ; Mohawks and Oneidas 
sent party against, 214 8 ; captured 
by Senecas, 220 9 ; reprisals, 220 9 ; 
attempted attack on, 227"; alliance 
with desired, 230 8 ; trade, 230 8 , 231 4 , 
231 7 ; 'propose joining Iroquois, 
245 s ; break peace, 246 1 ; still hostile, 
254 s ; treachery, 257 s ; peace with 
Iroquois, 257 s ; at Fort Frontenac 
and Niagara, 258 s ; covenant with 
English, 260 9 ; ready to fight 
against French, 288 s ; war with 
Mississagas, 299 1 ; ambassadors at 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK TROOUOIS 



453 



Onondaga, 253 s ; attitude toward 
Iroquois and English, 253*; Iro- 
quois join English against, 324 s . 

Ottrawana, mentioned, 288°. 

Ouaroronon, 177 7 . 

Oucanastota, 332 s . 

Ouenrohronons, go to Hurons, 181 3 . 

Oiiioenrhonons, I79 8 - 

Oumiamis, 138 8 . 

Oundiaga, escaped, 377 s . 

Ounontisaston, I77 7 - 

Outagamis, 139 2 ; unite with Iroquois 
and English, 245 7 . 

Owego burned, 364 s . 

Owenagungas, 138 3 . 

Oyadagaono, 139 8 . 

Palatine, damage at, 368*; prisoners 
taken at, 370 9 . 

Palatines, come to New York, 267 2 . 

Parish, Jasper, interpreter, 143 5 ; re- 
port on Iroquois, 384 s . 

Parker, Ely S., mentioned, 390 3 . 

Parkman, Francis, cited, 130 2 , 181 6 . 

Parsons, Major, describes Teedyus- 
cung, 309 3 . 

Peace dance, 188 9 . 

Peach-stone game, 141 3 . 

Peach Town, destroyed, 366°. 

Penn, William, Susquehanna lands 
granted to, 230 2 ; letter, 256 s ; buys 
land of Conestogas, 267°. 

Pennsylvania, council at Conestoga, 
260 2 ; Indian lands, 267*, 276 s ; com- 
plaints of squatters, 292 s ; land 
treaty, 301 4 ; relations with Iro- 
quois, 274°; declares war on Dela- 
wares, 306 4 ; conferences with 
Iroquois, 306 5 ; Easton council, 
309 3 ; and Maryland, division line, 
329°; Indians murdered in, 331 6 ; 
commissioners, 372*. 

Pennsylvania Indians tribute to On- 
ondagas, 259 s ; ruled by Iroquois, 
273°. 

Penobscot Indians, attacked by Mo- 
hawks, 214 s . 

Perrot, Nicholas, story of national 
origin, 133 3 . 

Peter, mentioned, 368 s . 



Petree, Bishop de, baptizes Gara- 
kontie', 22 1\ 

Petty, John, mentioned, 342 7 . 

Petuns, 135 9 , 137 8 ; withdraw frontier 
towns, 176 8 ; visit of missionaries 
to, 177 1 ; not allowed to trade with 
French, 181 7 ; attacked by Iroquois, 
196 1 ; destroyed, 196 1 ; grief of, 
196 5 . See also Tionontaties. 

Philadelphia, councils, 244 9 , 256*, 
257 7 , 272 4 , 274 s , 275 7 , 275 s , 276', 281 8 , 
318 9 ; Iroquois embassy to, 285*, 
352°; Senecas in, 360 2 , 373°; Iro- 
quois chiefs at, 375*. 

Physicians, 388 9 . 

Pickering, Col. Timothy, council at 
Elmira, 374°. 

Picquet, Abbe Frangois, builds strong 
fort, 279 s ; at Fort Saratoga, 286 2 ; 
mission, 291 5 ; eulogy, 292 1 ; men- 
tioned, 293 s . 

Pierron, Father Jean, with Mo- 
hawks, 219 1 , 220 2 ; retired, 228 2 . 

Pieskaret, Simon, defeated, 185 9 ; 
successful expedition in 1645, 187 9 ; 
exploits and death, 191 3 . 

Pinetree chiefs, 155*. 

Pioneers, trouble with, 341 9 . 

Pipestone from western Indians, 

237 3 - 
Pipestone calumet, 246 s . 
Pittsburg, conferences at, 317 8 . 
Point Rockaway, 317 7 . 
Pointe aux Iroquoise, 317 7 . 
Poisoning, stories of, 252 s . 
Pollard, Capt, Seneca chief, 383 s . 
Poncet, Father, taken prisoner, 199 2 ; 

adopted, 199 3 ; released, 199 4 . 
Pontiac, hostilities, 320 9 , 325°; Iro- 
quois join English against, 324°; 

met by George Croghan, 327°; 

council with Johnson, 328 1 ; goes 

home, 329 1 . 
Post, mentioned, 29s 2 . 
Potomac, Indian name, 269 s . 
Pottery, 140 8 . 
Pouchot, M., cited, 130 2 ; on origin of 

Iroquois, 133 7 ; commands Fort 

Levis, 317". 



454 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Pouchot's map of 1758, explanation 
of, 406 1 . 

Poulain, Father William, prisoner to 
Iroquois, 177 2 ; visit to Hurons, 
17 f- 

Powder and lead, sold only to the 
Iroquois, 223 s ; use by Indians, 
322 1 . 

Praying Indians, Canadian, 243 s , 
253 s . See also Caughnawagas. 

Presque Isle, blockhouse taken, 321 4 ; 
sold to Pennsylvania, 377 s . 

Prideaux, General, leaves for Ni- 
agara, 316 9 ; killed, 317 2 . 

Prisoners, see Captives. 

Proctor, Col. Thomas, cited, 130 3 ; 
journal, 374". 

Progress of Indians, 39i°-92 4 . 

Protestant missions, 346 8 -47 s . 

Pyrlaeus, John Christopher, chron- 
ology, 148 3 ; account of formation 
of Iroquois league, 154 3 ; on rela- 
tionship of nations, 164 6 ; on treaty 
between Dutch and Iroquois, 173 7 ; 
among the Mohawks, 2Q4°-95 1 . 

Quackack, 370 3 . 

Quaksies, T39 3 . 

Quatoghies, 137 s . 

Quebec, councils at, 200 2 , 289 s , 302 3 ; 

massacre of Algonquins, 210*; 

blockaded by 700 Iroquois, 21 1 6 ; 

surrender, 317 3 . 

Rasle, Father, killed, 270 3 . 

Rat, the, 235 s . 

Red Head, speech, 298*; Onondaga 
speaker, 303 3 , 303 4 ; death, 306 9 . 

Red Jacket, eloquence of, 143 8 ; 
speaker, 167 5 ; mentioned, 379 s ; de- 
scription of, 382 s . 

Religion, new, prophet of, 380 7 . 

Religious belief of Iroquois, 131 7 , 
220 3 . 

Religious instruction, 330 5 , 33s 7 . 
See also Missions. 

Religious troubles, 346 1 . 

Reservations, present, 386 s . 

Residence land deed, 271 7 . 

Rhiierrhonons, 193 9 . 



Rice, Rev. Asaph, mentioned, 348 1 . 

River Indians, other names, 138*; 
taken to England, 260 6 ; friendly, 
35i 9 . 

Road from Mohawk river to Oneida 
lake, 274V 

Roanoke, Indian name, 269 s . 

Rode the Mohawk, at council at Al- 
bany, 243 s . 

Romer, Colonel, at Onondaga, 253°. 

Romer's map of 1700, explanation 
of, 402 1 . 

Ross, Major, damage south of the 
Mohawk, 370 4 . 

Rotinonsionni, 165*. 

Royal Blockhouse, built, 316 9 . 

Royal Grant, 329 6 . 

Rundt, Gottfried, goes to Onon- 
daga, 297 s . 

Ruttenber, E. M., cited, 130 3 , 138 8 . 

Sachems, f league, 154 3 ; allotment 
of, 154°; names and meanings, 
157°; raising, 164 7 , 292 s , 303 6 ; how 
chosen, 164 7 , 339 2 ; go to Shawnees, 
275 s ; Canadian, raised, 279 s ; 
dinner for, by invitation of Mary- 
land commissioner, 283®; authority, 
339 2 ; chief sachem called king, 
339 2 ; at Philadelphia, 375*. 

Saco Indians, 138 3 . 

Sacrifices, 131 9 . 

Sacs, 139 3 . 

Sadekanaghtie, presides at Onon- 
daga council, 237 2 ; at Albany 
council, 243 s ; death, 25s 1 ; signs 
land deed, 272'. 

Sagard, Gabriel, cited, 130 3 ; visit to 
Hurons, 177 3 . 

Saghsidowa, sent to Onondaga, 282°. 

Sagochiendaguete', 200 7 , 213 7 . 

Sagogehyata, 342 7 . 

Sagohandechty killed by Shawnees, 
276 1 . 

Sagoyewatha, description of, 382 s . 

St Clair, Gen., treaties, 373*; de- 
feat, 374 ? - 

St Francis Indians, 138 3 . 

St Francis Xavier a la Prairie de la 
Magdeliene, mission of, 220 4 . 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



455 



St Francois Xavier du Sault, 225 1 . 

St Ignace, destroyed, 194 9 . 

St Johns, attack on, 351 9 . 

St Joseph, attacked and taken, 194 4 . 

St Lawrence, Iroquois residence on, 
149 6 , 152 1 ; ancient inhabitants, 
150 3 ; closed by Iroquois bands, 
186 4 ; hostilities on, 196°; upper, 
described for first time, 201 1 . 

St Leger, on his way to Oswego, 
355 1 ; inarch, 355'; retreat, 357'. 

St Louis, destroyed, 195 2 . 

St Mary of Ganentaa, mission of, 
2o6 G . 

St Michel, escaped, 242 2 . 

St Regis, 317 s . 

St Regis Indians, land sales, 379°; 
number, 384 s , 385 s , 385*; one of the 
Seven Nations of Canada, 390 7 . 

St Regis reservation, 317 s , 387 1 . 

Sakena, speaks at conference at Al- 
bany, 269 s . 

Salt springs, 201 9 . 

Sandy creek, early home of Onon- 
dagas, 133 7 . 

Sankhicani, 161 3 . 

Sanson's map of 1656, explanation 
of, 396 1 . 

Saonchiogwa, Cayuga chief, 212 4 ; 
baptized, 221 3 . 

Saponies, branch of Catawbas, 139 4 ; 
adopted by Iroquois, 290 5 . 

Saratoga, see Fort Saratoga. 

Sassacus, killed, 180 5 . 

Sassoonan, Delaware chief, 273 s . 

Satanas, 138 s , 150 9 . 

Sategariouaen, commands Fort Levis, 

3I7 6 . 
Sault Chaudiere, 186 s . 
Sauteurs, 138 9 ; defeat Mohawks and 

Oneidas, 214 . 
Scalp belt, western, 320 7 . 
Scalp bounty, 24s 3 , 285 s , 288°, 306'', 

3I3 1 - 

Scaniadarighroones, adopted by Iro- 
quois, 290 J . 

Scanonaenrat, surrendered, 195 8 . 

Scarrooyady, speaker at Lancaster, 
290 9 ; warnings to French in Ohio, 
299 2 ; becomes Half King, 30i 9 -2 2 ; 



report, 302 9 ; with Braddock, 304 5 ; 
favors war, 306 4 ; at Onondaga 
lake council, 307 9 . 

Schaghticoke, settlement at, 237 7 . 

Schaghticoke Indians, 138 4 ; go with 
Schuyler, 239 4 ; at Boston, 269 7 . 

Schebosch, goes to Onondaga, 28s 2 . 

Schenectady, bought from the Mo- 
hawks, 214 5 ; capture of, 236 s . 

Schoharie valley, invaded, 359 s , 369 7 . 

Schonendoh, mentioned, 368 s . 

Schoolcraft, Henry R., cited, 130 4 ; 
on origin of Oneidas, 134 4 ; finds 
Eels among Tuscaroras, 146 4 ; on 
date of Iroquois league, 149 1 ; on 
date of destruction of Kahkwahs, 
181 9 ; report on Iroquois, 384^ 

Schools, see Education. 

Schuyler, Abraham, at Onondaga, 

259 3 . 

Schuyler, David A., commissioner at 
Oswego, 275 3 . 

Schuyler, Capt. John, sent to Onon- 
daga, 251 s . 

Schuyler, Myndert, goes to Senecas, 
266 s . 

Schuyler, Peter, heads expedition 
against French, 239"; goes to aid 
of Mohawks, 241 7 ; on cannabilism 
of Mohawks, 241 8 ; brother, 24s 4 ; 
sent to Canada, 250 8 ; ambassador 
to French, 251 6 ; opposes Onondaga 
fort, 253 s ; entertains Sadeganak- 
tie, 255 1 ; at Onondaga, 255 s , 261 2 ; 
sends belts to Canadian Iroquois, 
257 s ; takes Indians to England, 
260°; destroys French fort, 261 5 . 

Schuyler, Peter, jr, sent to Seneca 
country, 268 1 . 

Schuyler, Philip, sent to Senecas, 
275 3 - 

Schuyler, Gen. Philip, chosen fire 
keeper, 351 7 ; mentioned, 352 s ; averse 
to employing Indian aid, 353 2 ; 
letter to, 360 3 . 

Scioto, councils at, 337*, 340 1 , 340°. 

Seaver, James E., cited, 130 4 . 

Sedentary nations, 139°, 179 5 . 

Seneca name of Iroquois, 165*. 



456 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Senecas, origin, 133 2 , 134 7 , 135*; 
serpent story, 134 8 ; Iroquois known 
to Dutch as Maquas and, 135 6 , i 
159 7 ; clans, 144 9 ; manner of advent, 
147 3 ; last to join alliance, 148 7 ; [ 
date of joining league, 149 1 ; I 
chiefs, 154 9 , 158 6 , 390 5 ; removals 
from exposed to secluded situa- 
tions, 161 9 ; lake of, 162 7 ; nations 
first called, 162 7 ; numbers, 163 1 , 
210 9 , 224 7 , 277 2 , 291 2 , 324 s , 384 s , 
385 s ; territory, 163 1 , 163 5 , 171 7 ; 
common name Algonquin, 163 8 ; 
Delaware name, 163 8 ; council 
name, 163 8 ; symbols, 164 3 ; elder 
brother, 164 5 ; kill ambassadors 
sent to Mohawks, 175 6 ; defeat 
Hurons, 178 6 ; war with Hurons, 
181 3 , 193 6 ; destroy Kahkwahs, 
i8i 9 -82 2 ; destroy Neutral village, 
192 3 ; war with Eries, 203 2 ; tradi- 
tion of Erie war, 203 5 ; almost at 
war with Mohawks, 205*; trouble 
with Mohawks settled by arbitra- 
tion, 208*; come to Fort Orange, 
211 8 ; capture Ottawas, 220 9 ; 
dictionary, 221 5 ; wish to exter- 
minate Susquehannas, 223 s ; towns, 
224 7 , 324 s ; continue to send bands 
against the Illinois, 225"; one 
killed by Illinois visitors, 226 s ; go 
against the Miamis, 232 1 ; attacked 
by French, 233 s ; towns abandoned, 
2 33 3 ; towns taken possession of by 
De Nonville, 233 s ; making snow- 
shoes, 239 s ; harassed by western 
Indians, 239°; war with Miamis, 
245 s ; killed by western Indians, 
249*; killed by Dowaganhaes, 2S2 2 ; 
losses, 252 s ; conference with, 254 15 ; 
Joncaire goes to, 254 5 ; return 
prisoners, 255 s ; missionaries sent 
to, 255 7 ; side with French, 259 s ; 
chiefs at Conestoga council, 260 2 ; 
covenant with English, 260 9 ; return 
with Delawares, 262 s ; under 
French influence, 262 7 ; council at 
Montreal, 263 s ; council with 
Governor Vaudreuil, 265 s , 304 8 ; vil- 
lage at Niagara, 265 s ; English 



embassy to, 266 s ; chief sachem, 
268°; blacksmith among, 270 5 , 290 2 ; 
order Shawnees to return east, 
274 s ; chief killed by Shawnees, 
2 75 9 ~76 2 , - go to see Governor de 
Beauharnois, 280 7 ; war with Cataw- 
bas, 281 1 , 293 s , 312 5 ; famine among, 
281 6 ; epidemic among, 286 2 ; send 
wampum to English, 288 7 ; friend- 
ship for English, 288 9 ; invade 
Montreal, 289 s ; expel Joncaire, 
290 1 ; chiefs at Philadelphia, 292 s , 
373 s ; from Ganuskago, 305 4 ; 
women at councils, 306 2 ; at Ni- 
agara, 309 6 ; neutral, 310 9 , 37 f ; 
come to Fort Johnson, 311 2 ; con- 
ference with Cherokee chiefs, 311 6 ; 
fight against Catawbas and 
English, 312 5 ; hostile, 321 5 ; kill 
English soldiers, 322 s ; peace with, 
326 1 , 326 6 ; council with Johnson, 
335 3 ; most numerous of Iroquois, 
339 1 ; two released, 342 s ; union belt 
placed with, 345 s ; seven condemned 
to death, 345 s ; in Philadelphia, 
360 2 ; towns burned, 36s 3 ; join Sir 
John Johnson in Schoharie valley, 
369 s ; number employed by English, 
371 2 ; towns visited by Colonel 
Proctor, 374 4 ; boundaries settled, 
378 8 ; treaties, 379 1 ; at battle of 
Tippecanoe, 382 s ; aid in defense of 
Buffalo, 383'; west of the Mis- 
sissippi, number, 384 s ; religious 
division, 385°; land sales, 385 7 . 

Sepulture, 141 3 . 

Sergeant, Rev. John, mentioned, 347 s . 

Severance, Frank H., cited, 130 5 . 

Seyffert, Anton, mentioned, 295 1 . 

S'ganatees, 297*. 

Shadekaronyes, 156 9 . 

Shamokin (Pa.), fort at, 319*; 
council at, 335 a . 

Shamokin lands, 301 5 . 

Shaounons, 138 s . 

Shawnees, other names, 138 s ; driven 
off, 150 9 ; at war, 261 8 , 343 5 ; con- 
trolled by Iroquois, 269 3 ; rebuked 
by Iroquois, 269 7 , 340 3 ; called 
women, 272 s ; ordered to return 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



457 



east, 274°; favor the French, 275 s ; 
kill a Seneca chief, 275 9 -76 2 ; dis- 
satisfied with land sales, 276 7 ; 
lands, 277 s ; proposed removal, 
281 1 ; go to Wyoming, 292"; at 
Philadelphia, 292 s ; bring wampum 
to Iroquois, 293 2 ; hostile to Iro- 
quois, 304 6 ; at Onondaga lake 
council, 307 9 ; treaty with Iroquois, 
308 3 ; conference with Johnson, 
308 1 ; in Ohio, trouble with French, 
312 s ; owned no land, 341 1 ; at On- 
ondaga, 344 s ; proposals refused, 
344 s ; message to, 344 s ; at peace, 
345 5 ; number, 384 s . 

Shea, John Gilmary, cited, 130 5 , 183 5 ; 
possible error in use of Garakon- 
tie"s name, 21 3*; on murderer of 
Le Maitre, 2I4 3 . 

Sheoquaga, destroyed, 365 s . 

Shikellimy, viceroy over Susque- 
hanna Indians, 272 s ; resides among 
Shawnees, 273 7 ; sent to Senecas, 
274"; agent between the Six 
Nations and Pennsylvania, 275 s ; 
comes to Philadelphia, 275 s ; 
agent for Iroquois and whites, 
276"; at Onondaga, 277 s , 282 s , 285 s ; 
son killed by Catawbas, 284 s ; 
sick, 289 s ; death, 292 2 ; sons with 
the Delawares, 309 5 ; three sons 
survived him,. 342'. 

Shikellimy, John, mentioned, 30 1 5 , 342 s . 

Shirley, General, plans, 304 2 . 

Simcoe, Governor, kept hostile feel- 
ings alive, 377 1 . 

Sioux chief, mentioned, 245 s . 

Skandawati, suicide, 193 4 . 

Skaniadarighroonas, 139 5 . 

Skannayutenate, 366*. 

Skenandoah, mentioned, 368 s . 

Skoiyase, destroyed, 365 s , 366*. 

Slaves, held by Iroquois, 201 7 . 

Sleds, 140 8 . 

Sloughter, Governor, conference with 
Five Nations, 238 T ; on importance 
of holding Albany, 239 3 . 

Smallpox, in Philadelphia, 276 s ; 
among Mohawks, 287 s ; among 
Onondagas, 289 1 . 



Smith, Rev. Mr, mentioned, 346*. 

Smith, Rev. C. J., mentioned, 348*. 

Smith, William, cited, 130 3 ; de- 
scribed council at Onondaga, 236 7 ; 
on Albany council, 285 s . 

Snow snake, 141 4 . 

Snowshoes, 140 s . 

Snyder, Capt. Jeremiah, cited, 354 2 . 

Sokokis, 138 3 . 

Sokoquois, 138 3 . 

Soldiers, Union, 390 3 . 

Songs, 142 5 . 

Sonnontouan, 163 5 . 

Sonnontouehronons, 162 7 , 163 5 . 

Sonontoerrhonons, 179°. 

Sorel, Capt. de, attacks Mohawks, 
2 1 7 s . 

Sorel, forts on, 183 8 . 

Southern Indians, war with, 278 s ; 
covenant with, 280 8 . 

Sovereignties, Indian nations recog- 
nized as, 388 s . 

Soyeghtowa, 342 s . 

Spangenberg, goes to Onondaga, 
28s 2 ; mentioned, 295 2 . 

Spencer, Rev. Elihu, mentioned, 347'. 

Springfield, destroyed, 359 s . 

Squawkie Indians, traditional over- 
throw, 182 4 . 

Squekaneronons, 139 3 . 

Squier, E. G., on derivation of name 
Seneca, 163 7 . ■ 

Steel Trap, 383 s . 

Stenton, council at, 276 s . 

Stephens, Arent, sent to Oswego, 
292 s ; sent to Iroquois, 298 s ; 
danced the war dance, 303 5 . 

Stockbridge Indians, friendly, 351 9 ; 
special treaty with, 378 s ; number, 
3S4 5 . 

Stone, William L., cited, 130 5 ; on 
Brant, 352 7 ; on Red Jacket, 382 s ; 
on Farmer's Brother, 382®; on 
Steel Trap, 383 s . 

Stone Arabia, massacre at, 369°. 

Story-teller, 141°. 

Stuart, Rev. John, in charge of Mo- 
hawk mission, 336°, 347°; transla- 
tions and revisions, 339 7 ; Joseph 
Brant his interpreter, 339 s . 



458 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Stuyvesant, Governor, ransomed 
Kennebec Indians, 2I4 9 -I5 1 . 

Sullivan, General, expedition, 363 s . 

Susquehanna, deserted, 358 2 . 

Susquehanna lands, Gov. Dongan's 
action, 229 s ; above Washinta, 
sovereignty over, 231 2 ; claims to, 
269 s ; Canassatego on, 2J7*. 

Susquehanna river, mixed population 
in towns on, 325*; Iroquois towns 
on, burned, 361 3 . 

Susquehannas, 131 5 , 165 1 , 171 8 , 268 s ; 
controlled by Iroquois, 269 s ; de- 
serters among, 306 1 . See also An- 
dastes. 

Swahyawanah, 366 s . 

Swatana, viceroy over Susquehanna 
Indians, 272°. 

Sweege, 256*. 

Symbols, 164 3 . 

Syracuse, Frontenac's army camp at, 
247". 

Tadodaho, 156 5 . 

Taenhatentaron, destroyed, 194 9 . 

Tagawarra, 333 1 . 

Taghneghtoris, 301 5 , 342°. 

Tahaiodoris, death, 239 s . 

Tahontaenrat, 197 3 . 

Tanacharisson, the Half King, 

warnings to French in Ohio, 299 2 ; 

death, 301 s . 
Tarachawagon, 281 4 . 
Tareha, sent to Canada, 242 1 . 
Tatotarho, 157 4 . 
Tawachguano, 139 4 . 
Tawasentha, treaty at, 172 9 . 
Tayojaronsere, John, death, 364 s . 
Tchojachiage, 253 s . 
Teanaustaye', attacked and taken, 

194 1 

Tecarihoguen, 209 9 . 

Teedyuscung, appearance, 309 3 ; con- 
cludes peace treaty, 3I2 9 -I3 2 ; re- 
proved, 314 5 . 

Tegahkwita, Catharine, 
saint, 224 s . 

Teganissorens, 143 8 . 

Tegaretwan, killed, 232 s . 



Iroquois 



Temperance societies, 38i T . 

Teyawarunte, 322", 328*, 343 s . 

Teyohagweanda, 363 s . 

Theianoguen, invades Montreal, 289 3 . 

Thiohero, burned, 366 s . 

Three Rivers, council at, 190 2 ; en- 
counter between Hurons and Iro- 
quois, 191 9 ; Mohawks attack 
French near, 196 7 . 

Tiachsochratota, 297*. 

Ticonderoga, fort at, 234*; occupied 
by French, 304 9 . 

Tinawatawa, 220 8 . 

Tinondague, 224 s . 

Tiochrungwe, 297 s . 

Tionontaties, territory, 135 9 ; visit of 
missionaries to, 177 1 ; attacked by 
Iroquois, 196 1 ; take 13 Senecas, 
200 T ; ready to fight French, 288 s . 
See also Petuns. 

Tiotohatton, 224 s . 

Tioughnioga river, ascent of, 299 s . 

T'kwentaheuhane, 139 8 . 

Tobacco nation, 135 9 . See also 
Petuns. 

Tochanuntie, mentioned, 282°; de- 
scribed, 283 s ; speech, 283 s . 

Tockwoghs, 139 4 . 

Toderichroone, 26s 2 . 

Todirighroones, adopted by Iro- 
quois, 290 5 . 

Tokhrahenehiaron, sent to Mo- 
hawks , 188 2 . 

Tomahawks, use of, 246*. 

Tonawanda reservation, 386 7 . 

Tonawandas, number, 385*; land 
sale resisted, 386 2 . 

Tondiharon, killed, 239 s . 

Toniata, Iroquois attacked by French 
at, 240 3 ; number of warriors at, 
277 1 ; a noted resort, 3i7 T . 

Toratati, burned alive, 198 8 . 

Torskin, goes to Montreal, 243 s . 

Tortures, 187 8 , 195 7 . 

Totemic bond, 146 7 . 

Totems, on houses, 146 1 . 

Toteros, 139 4 . 

Totiakton, 233 s . 
Tptieronno, 331'. 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



459 



Towns, brief duration, 152 9 ; reported 
burning, 357 s . 

Tracy, M. de, builds forts, 216 8 ; re- 
ceives Dutch Bastard, 217 s ; makes 
another expedition to Fort St 
Anne, 218 4 . 

Trade, of Iroquois with Dutch, 177 9 ; 
English, 293 s ; limitations, 320 6 ; 
regulations, 329 9 -3o\ See also 
French trade. 

Traversy, Captain de, killed, 217 7 . 

Treaty, between Iroquois and Dutch 
at Tawasentha, 172 9 ; with Dutch, 
210 6 ; between Esopus Indians and 
Iroquois, 21 1 8 ; between Iroquois 
and English, 216 6 , 240 9 , 250 8 ; be- 
tween Dutch and Mohawks, 
222*; between Iroquois and 
Maryland, 227 s ; between French 
and Iroquois, 254*; between Iro- 
quois and Governor Keith, 269 1 ; 
between Caughnawagas and Iro- 
quois, 280 2 ; between Iroquois and 
Catawbas, 284 s , 295 s ; at Lancaster, 
290 9 ; in regard to Pennsylvania 
lands, 301 4 ; with Delawares and 
Shawnees, 308 3 ; of Fort. Stanwix, 
I 7^4, 37i 9 ; settlement of boundary 
line, 378 s ; of Fort Harmar, 378'; 
of 1795, 378 s , 379 9 - 

Tributary nations, 23 1*. 

Trico, Catelyn, evidence in connec- 
tion with French and English 
claims, 173 3 . 

Tryon, Governor, on number of Iro- 
quois, 342*. 

Tsonnontouans, 163 5 , 164 4 . 

Tuscarora creek, Johnson meets 
Indians at, 331 5 . 

Tuscarora reservation, 387 1 . 

Tuscaroras, 135 2 , 136 3 ; origin, 133 2 ; 
clans, 145 2 ; date of joining con- 
federacy, 148 s ; chiefs, 158 7 , 390 7 ; 
adoption, 163 9 , 264*; name and 
meaning, 163°; position in league, 
i63 9 -64 1 ; council name, 164 2 ; 
younger brother, 164 5 ; present at 
Conestoga council, 260 3 ; at war 
with Conestogas, 262 s ; settled 



southward, 263 7 ; war with colon- 
ists, 263 7 ; controlled by Iroquois, 
269 s ; at Albany council, 269*; 
number, 277', 384 s , 385 s , 385*; 
towns, 297*, 324*; at Quebec, 302 4 ; 
more come north, 329 s ; molested 
in Pennsylvania, 329*; burn Iro- 
quois towns, 361 3 ; towns burned, 
364*; go over to enemy, 368 7 ; 
number employed by English, 371 2 ; 
secured in possession of lands, 
372 1 , 378 7 ; special treaty with, 
378 9 . 

Tuteloes, 139 4 . 

Twightwees, other names, 138 8 ; war 
with Iroquois, 234 s . 

Unadilla, full of refugees, 358 s ; 

burned, 361 3 . 
Unechtgo, 139 5 . 
Ungquaterughiathe, 272 s . 
Union soldiers, 390 3 . 
Upper Cayuga destroyed, 366 s . 
Utawawas, 138 8 . 
Utrecht, peace of, 263 s . 

Van Curler, Arent, comes in contact 
with Onondagas, 161 7 ; mentioned, 
173 2 ; sees Jogues among Mo- 
hawks, 184 6 ; on Oneidas, 161 3 ; 
trip to Oneida, 179 1 ; drowned, 
219 3 . 

Van der Donck, Adriaen, cited, 130 8 , 
i89 9 -90\ 

Van Epps, John Baptist, interpre- 
ter, 251°; sent to Onondaga, 251 8 . 

Van Rensselaer, General, defeats 
Sir John Johnson, 369°. 

Van Rensselaer, Kiliaen, Indian 
lands bought by, 175 9 . 

Vaudreuil, Governor de, council 
with Senecas, 259°, 265 s , 304 8 ; 
sends Joncaire to Iroquois country, 
265'' ; report on Indian allies, 312 5 . 

Venango (Pa.), fort captured at, 
2>2i\ 

Vercheres, Mile de, defends fort, 
240 3 . 

Vermont, Iroquois in, 151 s . 



460 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Vessels called after Iroquois nations, 
3I7 8 . 

Viel, Father Nicholas, visit to 
Hurons, 177 3 . 

Viele, Aernout Cornelisse, commis- 
sion given to, 238*; sent to Onon- 
daga, 251 s ; offends Onondagas, 
229/. 

Vimont, Father, quoted, 186 7 . 

Virginia, Indian name, 231 2 , 269 s ; 
boundary in, 268*; lands, 276 7 , 284 1 ; 
settles claims, 284 s ; fight with 
Iroquois, 281 2 . 

Virginia Indians, Senecas against, 
268 7 . 

Visgher, Lieutenant, sent to Oswego, 
288 7 . 

Vrooman, Captain, captured, 369'. 

Wampum, use, 141 7 ; meaning, 142*; 
inventor, 155 5 ; making, 177 9 ; re- 
stored to old Onondaga in 1847, 

379*. 

Wappingers, 138 5 ; join Mohawks 
against Mahicans, 219 5 . 

War chiefs, 155 3 . 

War dance of Iroquois, 287*. 

Warwarsing, burned, 370 s . 

Washington, George, mentioned, 
312 6 . 

Wayne's victory, 377*. 

Weapons, 140 2 . 

Weas, 138 8 . 

Weaving, 140 4 . 

Webb, General, at Oneida portage, 
308 9 . 

Webster, Ephraim, cited, 149 2 ; 
Hiawatha legend, 155 9 . 

Weiser, Conrad, official interpreter, 
274 7 ; adopted by Mohawks, 274 s ; 
agent between the Six Nations 
and Pennsylvania, 275 2 ; agent for 
Iroquois and whites, 276*; at On- 
ondaga, 277 s , 282", 285 s , 294*; 
Indian account of, 281 4 ; Iroquois 
delegation at home of, 282*; on 
character of Catawbas, 284*-85 2 ; 
aids Shikellimy, 289*; sent to Logs- 
town, 290 9 , 296 s ; councils with Iro- 



quois, 291 1 ; on French influence in 
Onondaga, 294°; comes to the Mo- 
hawks, 297 s ; at Albany council, 
301 4 ; death, 318 6 . 

Weiser, Frederick, on death of 
chief's son, 335 s . 

Weiser, Samuel, succeeds Conrad 
Weiser, 318 9 . 

Wessel, Dirck, at Onondaga, 242 7 ; 
ambassador to French, 25 1 9 . 

Western Indians, hostile, 245*; 
trouble with, 257 s , 277 s ; at Oswego, 
292'; restive, 300 3 ; councils with, 
32&, 373\ 375 s ; reproved, 337 1 ; 
summoned to Onondaga, 341 8 ; 
loyal, 352 1 . 

Wheelock, Rev. Eleazer, on Indian 
education, 319 5 , 348 s ; Indian school, 

324*. 
White river, Iroquois settlement at, 

282 9 . 

Wilkins, General, quoted, 377 s . 

Willett, Col. Marinus, in command, 
370 2 ; attacked and defeated an 
Indian force, 370 8 ; defeats Butler, 
370 4 ; attempt on Oswego, 370 9 . 

Williams, Colonel, killed, 303 9 . 

Williams, Roger, cited, 130 8 ; on 
reputed cannibalism of Mohawks, 

I59 8 . 

Williamsburg, council at, 265*. 

Wills, 389 s - 

Wilson, James .Grant, cited, 130*. 

Winsor, Justin, cited, 130 7 . 

Winthrop, Governor, quoted, 207 8 . 

Wolcott, Oliver, mentioned, 37 2 *- 

Wolves, 138 4 . 

Women, influence of, 167 4 ; children 
follow mother's clan, 167 4 ; name 
chiefs, 167 4 ; speakers for, 167 4 ; 
owners of soil, 167 5 ; double atone- 
ment for their lives, 167 8 ; peace- 
makers, 244 4 ; at councils, 306 2 . 

Wood creek, English forts, 26o B . 

Woodbridge, Timothy, mentioned, 

347 8 . 
Woolley, Joseph, mentioned, 348'. 
Worship, 141 7 . 
Wraxall, secretary to Johnson, 304*. 



INDEX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 



461 



WTassone, 161 8 . 

Wyandots, 135 8 , 137 8 . 

Wyoming, fraudulent purchase, 301 5 ; 
land deed to be destroyed, 302 7 ; 
Connecticut people at, 320 3 ; mas- 
sacre of, 359*. 

Yoghroonwago, destroyed, 36 f: 
York, duke of, sovereignty over 
Susquehanna lands, 231 2 . 



I Zeisberger, David, cited, 130 7 , 374°; 
mentioned, 144 3 ; goes to Onon- 
daga, 285', 204 8 , 295 2 , 297 s , 209 7 , 
299 9 , 329 s ; on Brant and the Dela- 
wares, 373 5 ; on Montour family, 
375 1 ; account of Delawares being 
made warriors, 380 1 ; on Mohawks 
wishing war again, 380 6 . 
Zinzendorf, Count, quoted, 142 1 ; 
meeting with Iroquois chiefs, 282*. 



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Simpson, G : B. Preliminary Descriptions of New Genera of Paleozoic Rugose Corals. 
Loomis, F : B. " Siluric Fungi from Western New York. 

Pa3 (42) Ruedemann, Rudolf. Hudson River Beds near Albany and their 
Taxonomic Equivalents. H4p. 2pl. map. Ap. 1901. 25c. 

Pa4 (45) Grabau, A. W. Geology and Paleontology of Niagara Falls and 
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Pa5 (49) Ruedemann, Rudolf; Clarke, J: M. & Wood, Elvira. Paleon- 
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Contents: Ruedemann, Rudolf. Trenton Conglomerate of Rysedorph Hill. 
Clarke, J: M. Limestones of Central and Western New York Interbedded with Bituminous 

Sh des of the Marcellus Stage. 
Wood, Elvira. Marcellus Limestones of Lancaster, Erie Co. N. Y. 
Clarke, J: M. New Agelacrinites 
Value of Amnigenia as an Indicator of Fresh-water Deposits during the Devonic of New 

York, Ireland and the Rhineland. 

Pa6 (52) Clarke, J : M. Report of the State Paleontologist 1901. 28op. il. 

9pl. map, 1 tab. July 1902. 40c. 
Pa7 (63) Stratigraphy of Canandaigua and Naples Quadrangles. 78p. 

map. June 1904. 25c. 
Pa8 (65) Catalogue of Type Specimens of Paleozoic Fossils in the New 

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Pa9 (69) Report of the State Paleontologist 1902. 464P. 52pl. 8 maps. 

Nov. 1903. $1, cloth. 

PalO (80) Report of the State Paleontologist 1903. In press. 

Pall (81) Clark, J: M. & Luther, D.D. Watkins and Elmira Quadrangles. 

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Pal2 (82) Clarke, J : M. & Luther, D. D. Geologic Map of the Tully 

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Grabau, A. W. Guide to the Geology and Paleontology of the Schoharie 

Region. In preparation. 
Ruedemann, Rudolf. Cephalopoda of Beekmantown and Chazy Forma- 
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Zoology. Zl (1) Marshall, W: B. Preliminary List of New York Unioni- 

dae. 2op. Mar. 1892. 5c. 



MUSEUM PUBLICATIONS 

Z2 (9) Beaks of Unionidae Inhabiting the Vicinity of Albany, N. Y. 

24p. ipl. Aug. 1890. ioc. 
Z3 (29) Miller, G. S. jr. Preliminary List of New York Mammals. I24p. 

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Z4 (33) Farr, M. S. Check List of New York Birds. 224P. Ap. 1900. 25c. 

Z5 (38) Miller, G. S. jr. Key to the Land Mammals of Northeastern North 

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Z6 (40) Simpson, G : B. Anatomy and Physiology of Polygyra albolabris 

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Z7 (43) Kellogg, J. L. Clam and Scallop Industries of New York. 36p. 

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Eckel, E. C. Serpents of Northeastern United States. 

Paulmier, F. C. Lizards, Tortoises and Batrachians of New York. 

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il. Nov. 1888. ioc. 

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See En 15. 

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En7 (26) . Collection, Preservation and Distribution of New York In- 
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En9 (31) 15th Report of the State Entomologist 1899. I28p. June 

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Enl5 (57) Elm Leaf Beetle in New York State. 46p. il. 8pl. Aug. 

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This is a revision of En4 containing the more essential facts observed since that was prepared. 



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E J^ 9 ) Grapevine Root Worm. 4pp. -6pl. Dec. 1902. 15c. 

Enl7 (64) rtth Report of the State Entomologist 1902. nop. 6pl. 

May 1903. 20c. * v 

Enl8 (68) Needham, J. G. & others. Aquatic Insects in New York. 3220. 

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En20 (74) Felt, E. P. & Joutel, L. H. Monograph of the Genus Saperda. 

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1904. 40c. 

Needham, J. G. & others. May Flies and Midges of New York. In press. 

Botany. Bol (2) Peck, C: H. Contributions to the Botany of the State of 

New York. 66p. 2pl. May 1887. Out of print. 

Bo2 (8) Boleti of the United States. 96p. Sep. 1889. [50c] 

Bo3 (25) Report of the State Botanist 1898. 76p. 5pl. Oct. 1899. 

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Bo4 (28) - Plants of North Elba. 2o6p. map. June 1899. 20c. 

Bo5 (54) Report of the State Botanist 1901. 58p. 7pl. Nov. 1902. 40c. 

B06 (67) — — Report of the State Botanist 1902. 196P. 5pl. May 1903. 50c. 

Bo7 (75) Report of the State Botanist 1903. 70p. 4pl. 1904. 40c. 

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Ms2 (66) Ellis, Mary. Index to Publications of the New York State Natural 

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1 Beecher, C : E. & Clarke, J : M. Development of some Silurian Brachi- 

opoda. 96p. 8pl. Oct. 1889. Out of print. 

2 Hall, James & Clarke, J : M. Paleozoic Reticulate Sponges. 35<>p. il. 7QP 1 -' 

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3 Clarke, J: M. Oriskany Fauna of Becraft Mountain, Columbia Co. 

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reports of the state botanist. 

5 Clarke, J: M. & Ruedemann, Rudolf. Guelph Formation and Fauna of 

New York State. 196P. 2ipl. July 1903. $1.50, cloth. 

6 Naples Fauna in Western New York. 268p. 26pl. map. $2, cloth. 

7 Ruedemann, Rudolf. Graptolites of New York. Pti Graptolites of the 

Lower Beds. In press. 
Felt, E. P. Insects Affecting Park and Woodland Trees. In press. 
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Natural history of New York. 30V. il. pi. maps. Q. Albany 1842-94. 

division 1 zoology. De Kay, James E. Zoology of New York; or, The 
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v. 1 pti Economical Mineralogy. pt2 Descriptive Mineralogy. 24+536P. 
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of print. 

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v. 2 Analysis of Soils, Plants, Cereals, etc. 8+343+46P. 42pl. 1849. 

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v. 3 



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UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / 

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division 6 paleontology. Hall, James. Palaeontology of New York. 8v. 

il. pi. sq. Q. Albany 1847-94. Bound in cloth. 
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v. 5 pti Lamellibranchiata 1. Monomyaria of the Upper Helderberg, 
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pt2 Gasteropoda, Pteropoda and Cephalopoda of the Upper Helder- 
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v. 6 Corals and Bryozoa of the Lower and Upper Helderberg and Hamil- 
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v. 7 Trilobites and other Crustacea of the Oriskany, Upper Helderberg, 
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v. 8 pti Introduction to the Study of the Genera of the Paleozoic Brachi- 
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pt2 Paleozoic Brachiopoda. 16+394P. 84pl. 1894. $2.50. 

Catalogue of the Cabinet of Natural History of the State of New York and 

of the Historical and Antiquarian Collection annexed thereto. 242p. O. 
1853. 
Handbooks 1893-date. 7^x12^ cm. 

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H5 New York State Museum. 52p. il. 4c. 

Outlines history and work of the museuui with list of staff 1902. 

H13 Paleontology. i2p. 2c. 

Brief outline of State Museum work in paleontology under heads: Definition; Relation to 
biology; Relation to stratigraphy; History of paleontology in New York. 

H15 Guide to Excursions in the Fossiliferous Rocks of New York. 
i24p. 8c. 

Itineraries of 32 trips covering nearly the entire series of Paleozoic rocks, prepared specially 
for the use of teachers and students desiring to acquaint themselves more intimately with the 
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H16 Entomology. i6p. 2c. 

H17 Economic Geology. 44p. 4c. 

H18 Insecticides and Fungicides. 20p. 3c. 

H19 Classification of New York Series of Geologic Formations. 32p. 3c. 

Maps. Merrill, F: J. H. Economic and Geologic Map of the State of New 
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Geologic Map of New York. 1901. Scale 5 miles to 1 inch. In atlas 

form $3; mounted on rollers $5. Lower Hudson sheet 60c. 

The lower Hudson sheet, sreologically colored, comprises Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Put- 
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Map of New York showing the Surface Configuration and Water Sheds. 

1901. Scale 12 miles to I inch. 15c. 

Clarke, J : M. & Luther, D. D. Geologic Map of Canandaigua and Naples 
Quadrangles. 1904. 20c. 

Issued as part of Paleontology 7. 



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